An Air India flight AI-159, scheduled to depart from Ahmedabad's Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport to London Gatwick, was cancelled on Tuesday, June 17, 2025, just days after a catastrophic plane crash involving the same route. The flight, which was initially delayed by one hour and 50 minutes, was ultimately cancelled leaving passengers stranded.
The cancellation follows the tragic crash of Air India flight AI-171 on Thursday, June 12, 2025. The AI-171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner also bound for London Gatwick, crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad, killing 229 passengers and 12 crew members. Viswash Kumar Ramesh, a British passenger, was the sole survivor of the crash that also claimed the lives of dozens on the ground after the plane impacted a hostel at a medical college. The crash was the deadliest air incident involving British citizens since the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
The airline stated the cancellation was "due to the unavailability of the aircraft, resulting from airspace restrictions and additional precautionary checks, leading to longer than usual turnaround of aircraft". However, some reports indicate the cancellation was due to a "technical glitch." Passengers at the airport reported that the airline provided no specific reason for the cancellation. One passenger told ANI that the "crew members did not provide any reason for the cancellation or details about a fare refund". Air India disputed that the cancellation was due to a technical snag.
Air India has stated that alternative arrangements have been made to fly passengers to their destinations, offering hotel accommodation and full refunds or alternative flights. The airline also confirmed that the subsequent flight AI170 from London to Amritsar, utilizing the same aircraft, was also cancelled. Sources at Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhai Patel Airport indicated that passengers would be re-routed.
The Air India flight AI-159 was due to fly the same route and use the same aircraft, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, as the one involved in last week’s deadly incident. This has raised concerns and anxieties among passengers and the public, prompting increased scrutiny of the airline's safety protocols.
The investigation into the crash of flight AI-171 is ongoing. Both the Flight Data Recorder (FDR) and Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR), the "black boxes," have been recovered and secured. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) is leading the probe, assisted by teams from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board and the U.K. Experts are trying to determine the cause of the crash, with some suggesting the plane may have lost power in both engines after takeoff.
In the wake of the crash, Indian authorities have directed Air India to conduct additional safety checks on its Boeing 787 Dreamliner fleet. Another Air India Boeing 787, flying from Hong Kong to New Delhi, had to return to Hong Kong mid-flight on Monday due to a suspected technical issue, further fueling concerns about the aircraft.
