In the aftermath of the tragic AI-171 plane crash, Air India announced on Thursday that it will temporarily reduce flight frequencies on several international routes and suspend operations on three routes from June 21 to July 15, 2025.
The move follows the airline’s decision to conduct enhanced pre-flight safety checks on its Boeing 787 and 777 fleets and address airspace constraints due to closures in the Middle East. The airline aims to maintain schedule stability and reduce last-minute disruptions for passengers.
“Further to our press statement dated June 18, 2025, these measures are being taken as part of a proactive safety initiative and to accommodate increased flight durations caused by regional airspace closures,” Air India said in a statement posted on X.
Suspended Routes (Until July 15, 2025):
- Delhi–Nairobi (AI961/962) – 4 flights weekly (suspended until June 30)
- Amritsar–London Gatwick (AI169/170) – 3 flights weekly
- Goa (Mopa)–London Gatwick (AI145/146) – 3 flights weekly
Routes with Reduced Frequency:
North America:
- Delhi–Toronto: From 13 to 7 flights weekly
- Delhi–Vancouver: From 7 to 5 weekly
- Delhi–San Francisco: From 10 to 7 weekly
- Delhi–Chicago: From 7 to 3 weekly
- Delhi–Washington (Dulles): From 5 to 3 weekly
Europe:
- Delhi–London Heathrow: From 24 to 22 weekly
- Bengaluru–London Heathrow: From 7 to 6 weekly
- Amritsar & Delhi–Birmingham: From 3 to 2 weekly
- Delhi–Paris: From 14 to 12 weekly
- Delhi–Milan: From 7 to 4 weekly
- Delhi–Copenhagen: From 5 to 3 weekly
- Delhi–Vienna: From 4 to 3 weekly
- Delhi–Amsterdam: From 7 to 5 weekly
Australia:
- Delhi–Melbourne & Delhi–Sydney: Each reduced from 7 to 5 weekly
Far East:
- Delhi–Tokyo (Haneda): From 7 to 6 weekly
- Delhi–Seoul (Incheon): From 5 to 4 weekly (3 weekly from June 21–July 5, then 4 weekly from July 6–15)
Air India expressed regret over the inconvenience caused and confirmed that affected passengers are being contacted with options for alternate flights, complimentary rescheduling, or full refunds.
The temporary schedule changes come in the wake of the June 12 crash of a London-bound Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner in Ahmedabad, which struck the BJ Medical College hostel complex shortly after takeoff. The accident resulted in the deaths of 241 of the 242 people on board, including former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani.