Air India (Social Media)
National News: Last week, India’s oldest and largest aviation company, Air India, entered a serious operational crisis following the tragic crash of one of its Dreamliner aircraft in Ahmedabad. Since the incident, the airline has faced recurring technical problems, safety concerns, and operational disruptions, resulting in the frequent cancellation or diversion of flights. On Friday, the company officially announced the cancellation of eight flights—including four international and four domestic routes. This development has raised serious concerns in the Indian aviation sector, especially at a time when passenger traffic is steadily increasing.
In an official statement, Air India said that the affected flights were canceled due to maintenance and operational reasons. The airline expressed regret over the inconvenience caused to passengers and assured that full refunds or free rescheduling would be offered to all affected travelers. The statement further added that ground staff is working diligently to arrange alternative travel plans to help passengers reach their destinations at the earliest. The company has emphasized that every effort is being made to minimize inconvenience and ensure continuity of passenger plans.
The canceled flights include several high-traffic and strategic international routes such as Delhi–Melbourne and Dubai–Chennai. On the domestic front, major cities like Ahmedabad, Pune, Hyderabad, and Mumbai have also been affected. The complete list of canceled flights is as follows:
Air India has advised passengers to check their flight status on the official website (airindia.com) or contact customer care numbers 011-69329333 / 011-69329999 before leaving for the airport. The airline warned that ongoing security inspections, airspace restrictions, and weather disturbances may continue to cause flight delays or disruptions. Passengers will be kept informed in a timely manner. The airline also urged customers to stay patient and cooperative during this difficult period.
Earlier on Thursday, Air India also announced that it would temporarily reduce flight frequency on several international routes between June 21 and July 15, 2025, and suspend operations entirely on three key routes during this period. The decision comes in response to reduced availability of Dreamliner aircraft and new safety instructions from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). This move is expected to impact flights to Europe and Australia, affecting both leisure and business travelers.
The current crisis stems from the catastrophic Dreamliner crash in Ahmedabad, where the aircraft crashed into a densely populated area, resulting in the deaths of 271 people, including over 30 ground staff. It has become one of the most devastating incidents in Indian aviation history. Following the crash, the DGCA ordered an intensive safety inspection of Air India's Boeing 787 Dreamliner fleet.
As of June 18, 24 of the airline’s 33 Dreamliner jets have been inspected, and the review of the remaining aircraft is ongoing. Two Dreamliners have been marked as AOG (Aircraft on Ground) and are currently grounded in Delhi, deemed unfit for flying due to unresolved technical issues.
In the aftermath of the Ahmedabad tragedy, Air India is at a crucial turning point. Rebuilding public confidence will require not only restoring operational efficiency but also ensuring the highest levels of safety and maintenance standards. With DGCA monitoring the situation closely and public scrutiny at an all-time high, the coming weeks may prove to be decisive for the future of Air India. Whether this national legacy carrier can rebuild its reputation and operations remains to be seen.
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