Air India has announced a 15% reduction in its international services operated by wide-body aircraft. This decision, revealed on June 18, 2025, comes in the wake of several compounding factors, including heightened safety inspections mandated by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) following the tragic crash of Air India flight AI171 in Ahmedabad on June 12, geopolitical tensions in West Asia, and night curfews imposed on airspaces across Europe and East Asia. The airline aims to mitigate disruptions, ensure operational stability, improve efficiency, and minimize inconvenience to passengers.

The reduction in flight operations will be implemented starting immediately and is expected to remain in effect until at least mid-July. This curtailment will primarily affect long-haul and ultra-long-haul destinations typically serviced by wide-body aircraft, including routes to the United States, Canada, Europe, and Australia, as well as some shorter international routes. The revised international flight schedule will be released by June 20, 2025.

In a statement, Air India explained that the decision was driven by a combination of circumstances. The most immediate trigger was the Ahmedabad plane crash, which claimed 241 lives and prompted the DGCA to order enhanced safety checks on Air India's Boeing 787 fleet. As of June 18, 2025, 26 out of 33 Boeing 787-8/9 aircraft had undergone and cleared the "Enhanced Safety Inspection." The remaining inspections are expected to be completed in the coming days. Additionally, precautionary safety checks have been initiated on the Boeing 777 fleet.

Beyond the safety concerns, Air India cited ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and airspace restrictions in Europe and East Asia as contributing factors. These external pressures have led to operational disruptions, with 83 flights canceled in the six days leading up to the announcement. The airline also acknowledged a "necessary cautious approach being taken by the engineering staff and Air India pilots" adding to the operational challenges.

By reducing its international wide-body operations by 15%, Air India hopes to create greater operational flexibility and efficiency. The move will also increase the availability of reserve aircraft, allowing the airline to better manage any unforeseen disruptions that may arise. Passengers affected by the flight cancellations will be offered options for rescheduling their flights or receiving refunds.

The decision to cut international services reflects the complex challenges facing Air India, balancing safety concerns, external pressures, and the need to maintain reliable operations. The airline is working to minimize the impact on passengers and restore normalcy to its flight schedule as quickly as possible.