MUMBAI- Over 20 flights operated by Air India (AI) were abruptly cancelled on Thursday (June 19, 2025), impacting both international and domestic travelers across key hubs. The disruptions were felt at major airports including Indira Gandhi International (DEL), Dubai International (DXB), and London Heathrow (LHR), according to data from FlightAware.
The affected network spanned routes to Europe, Asia, and within India, as Air India (AI) continues to manage the fallout from intensified aircraft inspections and regional airspace restrictions, Gulf News reported.
Photo: avgeekwithlens/ Harsh TekriwalAir India Cancels 20 Flights Today
The cancellations included major long-haul services such as AI916 from Dubai (DXB) to Delhi (DEL), AI156 from Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS) to Delhi (DEL), and AI152 from Zurich (ZRH) to Delhi (DEL).
Additional services, such as AI143 to Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) and AI133 from Bengaluru (BLR) to London Heathrow (LHR), were also impacted.
Domestically, cancellations affected high-traffic routes involving cities like Mumbai (BOM), Ahmedabad (AMD), Pune (PNQ), Amritsar (ATQ), Indore (IDR), Kolkata (CCU), Coimbatore (CJB), and Vadodara (BDQ).
In total, 20 flights were grounded on June 19, disrupting plans for hundreds of passengers. The sudden reduction reflects ongoing challenges stemming from safety inspections, airspace limitations, and resource constraints.
Photo: By Bill Larkins – UnitedoverAirIndia Jan12016, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=47618295Air India Slashes Int’l Flights by 15%
Air India has confirmed a temporary 15% cut in its international widebody operations, primarily involving Boeing 787 Dreamliners and 777 aircraft. The reduced schedule, effective through at least mid-July, was attributed to:
- Heightened geopolitical risks in the Middle East
- Nighttime airspace curfews in parts of Europe and East Asia
- Precautionary safety checks across the fleet
The airline is conducting one-time inspections of its Boeing 777 aircraft and intensifying checks on Dreamliners as per guidance from India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).
Photo: Utkarsh Thakkar (Vimanspotter)Routes Affected
Air India (AI) has announced a temporary reduction in long-haul flights operated by its Boeing 787 and 777 fleet. The move, effective from June 21 to at least July 15, 2025, will impact several international routes.
The airline cited the need for enhanced pre-flight safety checks and extended flight durations due to Middle East airspace closures. This decision affects services from major Indian hubs such as Delhi (DEL), Amritsar (ATQ), and Goa (GOX), among others.
In its June 18 statement, Air India (AI) confirmed that it will temporarily suspend or reduce frequencies on multiple routes due to a dual operational challenge: voluntary pre-flight safety inspections of its Boeing 787 and 777 aircraft, and increased flight times caused by diversions around restricted Middle Eastern airspace.
These steps aim to maintain schedule reliability, reduce last-minute cancellations, and ensure the safety of passengers and crew.
Suspended Routes Until July 15, 2025
Air India will completely suspend the following routes during the outlined period:
- Delhi (DEL) – Nairobi (NBO) | Flight AI961/962 | 4x weekly (until June 30)
- Amritsar (ATQ) – London Gatwick (LGW) | Flight AI169/170 | 3x weekly
- Goa Mopa (GOX) – London Gatwick (LGW) | Flight AI145/146 | 3x weekly
Reduced Frequencies on North America Routes
Several high-capacity transatlantic flights will see a frequency drop:
- Delhi (DEL) – Toronto (YYZ): From 13x to 7x weekly
- Delhi (DEL) – Vancouver (YVR): From 7x to 5x weekly
- Delhi (DEL) – San Francisco (SFO): From 10x to 7x weekly
- Delhi (DEL) – Chicago (ORD): From 7x to 3x weekly
- Delhi (DEL) – Washington Dulles (IAD): From 5x to 3x weekly
Adjustments to European Flight Schedules
Air India will also reduce service across several European destinations:
- Delhi (DEL) – London Heathrow (LHR): From 24x to 22x weekly
- Bengaluru (BLR) – London Heathrow (LHR): From 7x to 6x weekly
- Amritsar (ATQ)/Delhi (DEL) – Birmingham (BHX): From 3x to 2x weekly
- Delhi (DEL) – Paris (CDG): From 14x to 12x weekly
- Delhi (DEL) – Milan (MXP): From 7x to 4x weekly
- Delhi (DEL) – Copenhagen (CPH): From 5x to 3x weekly
- Delhi (DEL) – Vienna (VIE): From 4x to 3x weekly
- Delhi (DEL) – Amsterdam (AMS): From 7x to 5x weekly
Impact on Australia and Far-East Asia Routes
The Australia and Asia-Pacific networks will also face moderate reductions:
- Delhi (DEL) – Melbourne (MEL) and Sydney (SYD): From 7x to 5x weekly
- Delhi (DEL) – Tokyo Haneda (HND): From 7x to 6x weekly
- Delhi (DEL) – Seoul Incheon (ICN): From 5x to 4x weekly
Passenger Assistance and Restoration Plans
Air India (AI) has apologized for the inconvenience and is actively reaching out to affected travelers. Options include rebooking on alternate services, complimentary rescheduling, or full refunds. Revised schedules are being updated across Air India’s digital platforms and contact centers.
The airline reiterated its commitment to resuming its full international schedule as soon as conditions permit, with safety as the top operational priority.
Photo: PM Narendra Modi X HandleSafety Measures Following Fatal Crash
The reduction in services follows a tragic crash involving Flight AI171 near Ahmedabad (AMD), which claimed over 270 lives. The DGCA responded by mandating immediate safety audits for all Boeing 787 aircraft. So far:
- 26 of 33 Dreamliners have been inspected and cleared
- 66 Dreamliner flights have been cancelled since the incident
- Boeing 777s are undergoing additional precautionary reviews
Despite widespread passenger disruption, the DGCA reports no major systemic flaws during inspections, and maintenance protocols have been deemed compliant with civil aviation standards.
While the immediate focus is on stabilizing operations and ensuring safety, Air India remains committed to its growth roadmap. Under Tata Sons’ ownership since 2022, the airline has:
- Placed large-scale aircraft orders
- Rebranded with a refreshed identity
- Upgraded its fleet and expanded pilot training
Industry veterans, including former executive Jitender Bhargava, have expressed confidence that the crisis won’t derail the airline’s resurgence. “There can be no looking back,” he said, reflecting the broader sentiment within India’s aviation sector.
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Air India Revenue Up by 11% to $7 Billion in FY25
The post Air India Cancels 20 Flights and Reduces International Flying on These Routes appeared first on Aviation A2Z.
