Air India Cancels 8 Flights Amid Booking Drop After Ahmedabad Plane Crash

By Admin

21 Jun, 2025

In the aftermath of the tragic plane crash in Ahmedabad on June 12, Air India has announced the cancellation of eight flights, four of which are international, citing operational reasons. The cancellations come at a time when the airline is grappling with a steep decline in bookings, a ripple effect of the fatal accident that claimed over 70 lives, including passengers, crew, and civilians on the ground.

Impact of the Ahmedabad Crash

The ill-fated Air India flight AI-171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner bound for London, crashed shortly after take-off from Ahmedabad, striking a nearby medical college complex. Of the 242 people onboard, only one survived, and nearly 29 people on the ground also lost their lives in what is being described as one of the gravest aviation tragedies in recent Indian history.

Flights Cancelled Today

Amid heightened operational scrutiny and lowered travel confidence, the following Air India flights were cancelled:

International Flights:

• AI906: Dubai to Chennai
  
  

• AI308: Delhi to Melbourne
  
  

• AI309: Melbourne to Delhi
  
  

• AI2204: Dubai to Hyderabad
  
  

Domestic Flights:

• AI874: Pune to Delhi
  
  

• AI456: Ahmedabad to Delhi
  
  

• AI2872: Hyderabad to Mumbai
  
  

• AI571: Chennai to Mumbai
  
  

A specific case involved the Delhi-Pune flight, which was grounded after suffering a bird hit on its incoming leg from Delhi, necessitating a detailed inspection before it could resume operations.

Airline Response and Passenger Support

Tata Group-owned Air India confirmed that arrangements including accommodation and refreshments had been made for stranded passengers. The airline also announced full refunds or complimentary rescheduling options to affected customers, aiming to reduce inconvenience and retain traveler trust during this challenging period.

Decline in Bookings and Fare Adjustments

According to the Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO), bookings for Air India have dropped by approximately 20%, both on domestic and international sectors. This comes alongside a noticeable fare reduction of about 8–15%, especially in sectors where competition with other airlines is high.

Rajiv Mehra, General Secretary of the Federation of Associations in Indian Tourism & Hospitality (FAITH), echoed the concerns, stating that routes with high competition have seen fare drops of nearly 10%. However, experts believe this decline in booking is sentiment-driven and likely temporary.

“While the exact percentage varies by route, our estimates indicate a dip of around 18-22% on international bookings and a 10-12% fall domestically in the immediate aftermath,” said IATO President Ravi Gosain, noting that such reactions tend to stabilize over time.

CEO’s Reassurance and Ongoing Investigations

Air India CEO Campbell Wilson addressed the crisis, acknowledging the profound loss and assuring full support for the bereaved families. He noted that around 500 Air India staff and 17 personnel from other Tata companies are stationed in Ahmedabad to assist families of victims.

Wilson also announced a temporary reduction in the international flight schedule   cut by 15% till July 15   to allow for additional pre-flight checks and due to ongoing geopolitical factors. He assured that operations will gradually normalize.

In response to public concern, Wilson clarified that senior Air India officials were present at the funerals of the 12 deceased crew members. He refrained from commenting on the ongoing crash investigation, stating that the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) is handling the matter independently and that Air India is fully cooperating with the inquiry.

Final Thoughts

As India’s flagship carrier navigates one of its darkest moments, Air India’s proactive steps   from grounding impacted aircraft to compensating passengers and supporting victim families   reflect an effort to uphold responsibility and transparency. While booking trends show a short-term dip, industry leaders anticipate that confidence in the national carrier will recover in the coming months, driven by corrective actions and operational reassurances.