In the wake of a tragic plane crash in Ahmedabad, Air India canceled numerous international flights on Tuesday, June 17, as enhanced safety inspections and airspace restrictions took effect. The cancellations predominantly involved the airline’s Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner aircraft, the same model involved in the deadly incident. On June 12, an Air India Dreamliner bound for London crashed into a hostel complex shortly after departing Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, killing all 241 passengers and crew onboard.
According to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), Air India grounded 66 Boeing 787 flights since the Ahmedabad tragedy. The disrupted routes included major destinations like Dubai, Paris, Vienna, and San Francisco.
Key canceled flights were:
- AI915: Delhi to Dubai (B787-8 Dreamliner)
- AI153: Delhi to Vienna (B787-8 Dreamliner)
- AI143: Delhi to Paris (B787-8 Dreamliner)
- AI159: Ahmedabad to London (B787-8 Dreamliner)
- AI170: London to Amritsar (B787-8 Dreamliner)
- AI133: Bengaluru to London (B787-8 Dreamliner)
- AI179: Mumbai to San Francisco (B777)
Air India attributed the cancellation of its Ahmedabad-to-Gatwick service to “airspace restrictions and additional safety protocols,” dismissing speculation about technical issues. The airline issued a statement saying, “We apologize for the inconvenience and have arranged alternative travel options for affected passengers.” Travelers were offered hotel accommodations, full refunds, or free rescheduling.
The Delhi-to-Paris flight (AI143) was also canceled after pre-flight checks revealed a problem, compounded by nighttime operational restrictions at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport. A spokesperson reiterated, “We’re working to get passengers to their destinations as soon as possible.” Consequently, the return flight, AI142 from Paris to Delhi, was also scrapped on June 17.
San Francisco-Mumbai Flight Grounded in Kolkata
A separate Air India flight from San Francisco to Mumbai, rerouted due to airspace closures, was grounded in Kolkata after a technical inspection. The Boeing 777-200 LR, operating as AI180, landed in Kolkata at 12:45 a.m. as planned but was unable to proceed to Mumbai. The detour was necessitated by Pakistan’s airspace closure, and a suspected technical fault was identified during a post-landing check.
All 228 people onboard, including 211 passengers and crew, were safely disembarked. Air India provided hotel stays for some travelers, though the delay sparked frustration among passengers at Kolkata’s airport.