New Delhi, June 18, 2025:
Several Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner flights were cancelled on Tuesday, causing significant disruptions to Air India's international operations. The action follows the tragic crash of Flight AI171 near Ahmedabad last week, which claimed the lives of 241 people on board and at least 38 on the ground. At least eight long-haul Dreamliner services were canceled by the airline on June 17. These included flights from Ahmedabad to London, Delhi to Dubai, Vienna and Paris, Bengaluru to London, Delhi to Vienna, and a London to Amritsar sector. Aircraft shortages, lengthy safety checks, and airspace restrictions over Iran and Pakistan the latter of which lengthens flight times and makes scheduling more difficult were blamed for the cancellations.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) responded by ordering thorough inspections of the Dreamliner fleet, which consists of 33 aircraft, with an emphasis on Genx engines, flight control systems, and hydraulic components. The regulator identified "maintenance lapses and coordination issues" between the engineering and operations teams, but no systemic safety flaws were found. "We regret the inconvenience to our passengers," a representative for Air India stated. Other arrangements, such as hotel stays, reimbursements, or free rebooking, are being made. Press releases from the airline's travel desk repeated similar guarantees.
Affected passengers will receive full refunds and compensatory accommodations from the airline, which will also notify customers of refund and rebooking options through its website and frequently asked questions. This happened in the midst of increased regulatory scrutiny after the crash on June 12 close to the BJ Medical College dorm in Ahmedabad. The DGCA has ordered that all Dreamliner inspections be finished by the middle of June and that thorough technical logs be submitted. According to aviation analyst Ritu Shah, "widespread cancellations like this are uncommon." It illustrates caution as well as the close relationship between airspace restrictions and aircraft availability.
Following what Prime Minister Modi called "heartbreaking" losses, Air India, which is currently owned by the Tata Group and undergoing significant modernization, is under intense scrutiny. Campbell Wilson, the CEO, and Chairman N Chandrasekaran have promised to work closely with the DGCA and international investigators, including the US NTSB, the UK authorities, and the AAIB in India. Travelers are encouraged to check flight status and get in touch with the airline directly while they wait for clearance for the remaining Dreamliners. Following the completion of the inspection cycle, additional safety recommendations are anticipated from the DGCA. Until then, passengers should expect continuous disruptions as Air India's long haul network continues to be strained.
