Air India Cuts Flights, Faces DGCA Show-Cause Notice

Air India has announced a 15% reduction in its Boeing 777 and 787 long-haul flights until at least July 15, following stricter safety checks after the deadly AI171 crash in Ahmedabad earlier this month. The airline is also adjusting schedules to account for longer flight times caused by Middle East airspace closures.

Three long-haul routes have been suspended: Delhi–Nairobi, Amritsar–London Gatwick, and Goa Mopa–London Gatwick. In addition, frequencies have been reduced on multiple routes to Asia, Australia, North America, and Europe.

The airline is also cutting select narrowbody services to maintain network stability and minimize last-minute cancellations. These changes include suspending three international routes—Bengaluru–Singapore, Pune–Singapore, and Mumbai–Bagdogra—and reducing services on 19 domestic routes, primarily affecting Mumbai and Delhi, as well as Chandigarh–Bengaluru. Air India says the narrowbody cuts represent less than 5% of its total network and will also remain in effect until mid-July.

While safety inspections of the Boeing 787-8 and 787-9 fleets have concluded without major findings, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has issued a show-cause notice to Air India. The regulator flagged serious violations involving two Bengaluru–London flights in May, where crews exceeded legal working time limits.

The DGCA cited unauthorized crew pairings, lapses in licensing and rest compliance, and systemic scheduling failures. Three Air India officials have been removed from operational roles and face internal disciplinary action. The DGCA warned that future violations could result in penalties, licence suspensions, or loss of operator permissions.

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Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, ch-aviation.com