Air India temporarily halts specific prolonged air journeys following a tragic accident and departments other flights with decreased frequency.
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Air India's long-haul flights have taken a hit, with some suspended from Saturday, following the catastrophic crash of a Boeing 787-8 on June 12, 2025. The tragic incident involving Flight AI171 claimed 241 lives, leaving a sole British survivor, who recently left the hospital.
Most of the temporary flight reductions will persist until mid-July, affecting both 787 and 777 aircraft types. The suspension includes routes to London's Gatwick airport.
Air India explained their decision by citing "enhanced pre-flight safety checks" and "additional flight durations arising from airspace closures in the Middle East". Affected routes between Delhi, Bengaluru, and Amritsar will experience reduced frequency to certain North American, Australian, Japanese, South Korean, and European destinations, such as Heathrow and Birmingham. However, the Ahmedabad to Gatwick route remains unaffected.
Apologetic, Air India pledges to be in touch with affected passengers, offering alternative flights or refunds. Air India's chairman, Natarajan Chandrasekaran, insists that the Boeing 787-8 aircraft involved in the disaster had a "clean history". He clarified that the right engine was new, put in service in March 2025, while the left engine was last serviced in 2023 and due for maintenance in December 2025.
The crash's devastating consequences have raised concerns about the safety and maintenance of Air India's long-haul fleet. Despite the tragedy, it's essential to note that ongoing investigations have yet to demonstrate any major flaws in the aircraft's structure.
India's aviation watchdog has undeniably expressed concerns about safety lapses in Air India's operations. In an unrelated issue, Air India was found to have broken safety rules by operating three Airbus planes that were past due for emergency slide inspections and slow to resolve the issue. Consequently, the watchdog issued warning notices to Air India.
As the investigation continues, questions swirl around the disaster's cause, and the international community awaits the findings diligently.
The suspension of Air India's long-haul flights, particularly routes to London's Gatwick airport, has forced the aviation industry to scramble for alternatives, affecting transportation worldwide. The crash of Flight AI171 has created a ripple effect in the finance sector as well, as affected passengers seek compensation for their losses.
