Air India Slashes International Widebody Flights by 15% Following Ahmedabad Tragedy

Air India has announced a significant 15% reduction in its international widebody flight schedule, effective immediately and expected to last until at least mid-July. This drastic measure comes in the wake of the tragic Boeing 787 Dreamliner crash in Ahmedabad on June 12, which claimed the lives of 241 passengers and crew onboard, along with at least 39 individuals on the ground.

The decision reflects a multi-faceted challenge facing the national carrier. While the primary catalyst is the Ahmedabad crash, prompting enhanced safety inspections across its widebody fleet, additional pressures include ongoing geopolitical tensions leading to airspace closures in certain regions and a general push for operational stability and efficiency.

Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), India’s aviation safety regulator, immediately ordered deeper checks on Air India’s Boeing 787 fleet following the Ahmedabad incident. While the DGCA has stated that initial surveillance on the Dreamliner fleet has not revealed any “major safety concerns,” the precautionary inspections themselves require aircraft to be grounded for longer periods, impacting their availability. Air India has confirmed that out of its 33 Boeing 787s, 26 have been cleared for service after inspections, with the remainder to follow. As an added precaution, similar enhanced safety checks will now be extended to the airline’s Boeing 777 fleet, despite that model not being involved in the recent crash.

Compounding these internal operational demands are external factors, notably the closure of Iranian and surrounding airspace. This has forced Air India’s flights to and from Western destinations to take longer, more circuitous routes, increasing flying times and reducing the overall efficiency of its widebody operations. The airline had already been experiencing a surge in cancellations and delays, with 83 widebody flights, including 66 Dreamliners, cancelled between June 2 and June 17.

The 15% cut in international widebody services, encompassing its Boeing 787s, Boeing 777s, and Airbus A350s, is a “painful but necessary” step, according to the airline. Air India aims to utilize this period to bolster fleet availability, minimize unplanned disruptions, and re-align its schedules with actual operational capacity.

For passengers, this reduction translates to potential disruptions to their travel plans. Air India has pledged to inform affected passengers in advance and offer them the option to reschedule their travel without any additional cost or receive a full refund. The airline is also actively working to accommodate passengers on alternate flights where possible. Passengers are advised to ensure their contact details with the airline are up to date to receive timely notifications.

The Ahmedabad crash marks a significant setback for Air India, which has been undergoing a massive transformation under the Tata Group’s ownership. Since its privatization in 2022, the airline has embarked on an ambitious five-year plan, “Vihaan.AI,” to modernize its fleet, upgrade its services, and regain its position as a world-class global carrier. The company recently reported an 11% increase in revenue in FY25, reaching approximately $7 billion, and a positive operating profit, indicating a strong financial turnaround.

While the immediate focus remains on passenger safety and operational stability, the long-term impact of this incident on Air India’s ambitious growth trajectory and its “Via India” campaign, aimed at attracting more transit passengers and establishing Delhi as a core hub, remains to be seen. The airline faces the critical task of rebuilding passenger confidence while navigating complex operational challenges.