After Ahmedabad crash, Air India cuts international widebody flights by 15%

By Admin

19 Jun, 2025

In the wake of the tragic crash of Flight AI171 in Ahmedabad on June 12, Air India has announced a 15% reduction in its international widebody operations. This move comes as part of a broader response to growing safety concerns and geopolitical uncertainties in the Middle East.

Flight Reductions Across Key Routes

The reduction, which affects flights operated by Boeing 787 Dreamliners and Boeing 777 aircraft, took effect on June 20 and is expected to continue through at least mid-July. The airline described this decision as difficult but necessary, citing a combination of operational and external challenges.

A Complex Web of Disruptions

Air India stated that the disruptions are being caused by a mix of internal and external pressures. These include:

• Ongoing safety inspections after the Ahmedabad crash
  
  

• Night flying restrictions in parts of Europe and East Asia
  
  

• Tensions in Middle East airspace due to increasing conflict between Israel and Iran
  
  

“The curtailments are a painful measure to take, but are necessary following a devastating event which we are still working through and an unusual combination of external events,” said the airline in a statement reported by Bloomberg.

Fleet-Wide Safety Checks Underway

Air India is currently carrying out one-time safety inspections on its entire Boeing 777 fleet as a precautionary measure. Additionally, the airline is conducting enhanced checks on its Boeing 787 Dreamliners. Out of 33 Dreamliners, 26 have already cleared the inspections mandated by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). The remaining aircraft are expected to undergo inspection in the coming days.

Chairman Affirms Clean Maintenance Record

Speaking to Times Now, Air India Chairman N Chandrasekaran emphasized that the aircraft involved in the crash had a strong safety and maintenance record. “This particular aircraft, this specific tail, AI-171 has a clean history,” he said.

Chandrasekaran addressed widespread speculation, stating, “There are speculations about human error, speculations about airlines, speculations about engines, maintenance, all kinds.”

He clarified that the right engine of the aircraft was replaced in March 2025, while the left engine was last serviced in 2023, with the next service due in December 2025. “Both engine histories are clean. Both pilots were excellent,” he added.

Looking Ahead

As Air India navigates this crisis, it remains focused on ensuring the highest levels of safety and operational transparency. The airline’s decision to scale back operations reflects a commitment to thorough inspection, responsible flying, and adapting to the evolving geopolitical landscape.