Air India announced on Wednesday that it will reduce international operations using wide-body aircraft by 15% over the next few weeks. These flight reductions will begin immediately and continue through at least mid-July.
The airline stated that this move will help increase the number of reserve aircraft available to handle any unplanned disruptions. The decision comes as Air India continues to mourn the tragic loss of 241 passengers and crew members on flight AI 171.
&ldquo;This step has been taken to stabilise operations, improve efficiency, and reduce inconvenience for passengers,&rdquo; the airline said in a statement.
Air India assured passengers affected by the cancellations that they would be notified in advance and accommodated on alternate flights. Customers will also have the option to reschedule their travel at no extra cost or receive a full refund.
A revised schedule for international flights, effective from June 20, 2025, will be released soon.
Acknowledging the temporary inconvenience, the airline described the move as a painful but necessary measure following the recent tragedy and other external challenges. It added that the decision is intended to restore operational consistency and minimise last-minute disruptions.
&ldquo;With the continued support of our passengers, regulators, the Ministry of Civil Aviation, and the people of India, we aim to emerge stronger from this tragedy and rebuild trust in our services as quickly as possible,&rdquo; the airline noted.
In collaboration with the Ministry of Civil Aviation and the Gujarat government, Air India is also working to support the families of the victims and those injured in the crash.
Investigations into the cause of the accident are still ongoing. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has ordered enhanced safety inspections across Air India&rsquo;s fleet of Boeing 787-8/9 aircraft.
Of the 33 aircraft in that fleet, 26 have already been inspected and cleared for service. The remaining aircraft are expected to complete inspections in the coming days.
As a further precaution, the airline will also conduct enhanced safety checks on its Boeing 777 fleet. Air India has affirmed its commitment to working closely with authorities such as the AAIB, DGCA, and Ministry of Civil Aviation to uphold the highest safety standards for passengers, crew, and aircraft. Except for the headline, this article has not been edited by the Benefit News editorial team and is published directly from the IANS news feed.

Flight curtailments to restore stability after AI171 tragedy; inspections and refunds underway

Air India Cuts 15% Intl Wide-Body Flights

Flight curtailments to restore stability after AI171 tragedy; inspections and refunds underway

June 19, 2025 | 09:24 IST