Passengers will also be offered a choice to reschedule their travel without any cost or to be given full refund, as per their choice
Emmanuel Thomas l Thursday, June 19, 2025
AHMEDABAD, India – Air India has announced adjustment to international services with immediate effect, following the crash of flight AI 171 and loss of 241 passengers.
In a statement, the airline said it will now reduce services on widebody aircraft by 15 percent adding that the move is to ensure stability of operations, better efficiency and minimize inconvenience to passengers.
Air India to reduce international services
on widebody aircraft by 15%
Move to ensure stability of operations, better efficiency and minimise inconvenience to passengers.
Acting in coordination with the Ministry of Civil Aviation and the Government of Gujarat, Air India said it is putting all possible efforts to support the family members of the deceased and the injured.
“Air India and Tata Group volunteers are deputed in Ahmedabad for coordination with family members for any assistance at the hospitals and for them to travel back to their respective homes with the mortal remains of the deceased.
“We pray for the departed souls and convey our deepest condolences to the families”, it said.
Air India said the investigating authorities are continuing their efforts to find out the reasons for the accident.
” The DGCA had mandated ‘Enhanced Safety Inspection’ across Air India’s Boeing 787-8/9 aircraft fleet”.
It added that out of total 33 aircraft, inspections have now been completed on 26 and that these have been cleared for service, while inspection of the remainder will be complete in the coming days.
The airline said the fact that 26 aircraft have been cleared gives reassurance in the safety measures and procedures that have been followed.
“As a matter of added precaution, Air India will also undertake enhanced safety checks on its Boeing 777 fleet and, going forward, we will continue to cooperate with the authorities, viz AAIB, DGCA, MoCA to ensure the safety of our passengers, our crew and our aircraft, which remains our highest priority”.
It added that temporary Route Curtailment
Due to the geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, night curfew in the airspaces of many countries in Europe and East Asia, the ongoing enhanced safety inspections, and also the necessary cautious approach being taken by the engineering staff and Air India pilots, there have been certain disruptions in our international operations over the last 6 days leading to a total of 83 cancellations.
“Given the compounding circumstances that Air India is facing, to ensure stability of our operations, better efficiency and to minimise inconvenience to passengers, Air India has decided to reduce its international services on widebody aircraft by 15% for the next few weeks.
“The cuts will be implemented between now and 20 June and will continue thereafter until at least mid-July.
“This effectively adds to our reserve aircraft availability to take care of any unplanned disruptions”, the airline said.
Air India apologised to the passengers affected due to these curtailments, and will inform them in advance and make its best efforts to accommodate them on alternate flights.
“Passengers will also be offered a choice to reschedule their travel without any cost or to be given full refund, as per their choice.
“The revised schedule of our international services effective from 20 June, 2025 will be shared shortly”.
It explained that the curtailments are a painful measure to take, but are necessary following a devasting event which “we are still working through and an unusual combination of external events.
“It is done to restore operational stability, and to minimise last-minute inconvenience to passengers.
“With the continued support of our passengers, the regulatory authorities, Ministry of Civil Aviation and India at large, we will come out stronger through this tragic incident and reestablish the confidence of our passengers and all stakeholders in our services, at the earliest”.
