Air India is currently facing a challenging period, marked by a series of flight cancellations and schedule adjustments. On Friday, June 20, 2025, the airline announced the cancellation of eight flights, both domestic and international, citing "enhanced maintenance and operational reasons." This disruption follows closely on the heels of previous cancellations and a broader operational crisis stemming from a fatal plane crash on June 12 in Ahmedabad.
The affected flights include international routes such as AI906 from Dubai to Chennai, AI308 from Delhi to Melbourne, AI309 from Melbourne to Delhi, and AI2204 from Dubai to Hyderabad. Domestic routes impacted are AI874 from Pune to Delhi, AI456 from Ahmedabad to Delhi, AI-2872 from Hyderabad to Mumbai, and AI571 from Chennai to Mumbai. The airline has not provided specific details regarding the maintenance or operational issues leading to these cancellations.
These cancellations are occurring in the wake of the tragic Dreamliner crash in Ahmedabad, which resulted in the deaths of 270 people. Following the incident, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) ordered comprehensive safety inspections of Air India's Boeing 787 fleet. As of June 18, 2025, 24 out of Air India's 33 Dreamliners had undergone checks, with more aircraft scheduled for review. Currently, two jets are listed as AOG (Aircraft on Ground) in Delhi due to maintenance issues.
In addition to the flight cancellations, Air India has announced a reduction of 38 international flights per week and the temporary suspension of services on three overseas routes from June 21 to July 15, 2025. The routes affected by the suspension include Delhi-Nairobi, Amritsar-London (Gatwick), and Goa (Mopa)-London (Gatwick). This decision aims to restore schedule reliability and minimize last-minute disruptions for travelers.
Air India has stated that the objective of reducing flights on 18 international routes is to restore schedule stability and minimize last-minute inconvenience to passengers. The airline is proactively contacting affected passengers to offer re-accommodation on alternative flights, complimentary rescheduling, or full refunds, depending on their preference.
The airline has also attributed some of the disruptions to external factors such as airspace closures in Iran and the Middle East, nighttime restrictions at some international airports, and normal airline technical issues. Air India has advised passengers to check their flight status on the airline's website or contact customer care for updates.
The recent disruptions have led to increased scrutiny of Air India's operations, with the DGCA intensifying its safety checks. The airline is working to address the maintenance issues and ensure the safety of its fleet. These measures include enhanced inspections and the temporary grounding of aircraft to address technical snags.
Air India has expressed regret for the inconvenience caused to passengers due to these cancellations and disruptions. The airline is offering full refunds or free rescheduling to affected customers and is assisting passengers with alternative travel arrangements. The situation remains dynamic, and passengers are advised to stay informed about potential changes to their flight schedules.
