In a move aimed at improving efficiency and minimising passenger inconvenience while ensuring operational stability, Tata group airline Air India on Wednesday announced its decision to reduce its widebody aircraft-operated international services by 15 per cent for the next few weeks. The move follows the crash of its London-bound flight AI171 in Ahmedabad on June 12 shortly after takeoff from the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport.
The cuts in the said international services will be implemented till June 20 and will continue thereafter until at least mid-July, Air India said in a press release. “This effectively adds to our reserve aircraft availability to take care of any unplanned disruptions,” it noted.
Air India announces enhanced measures after Ahmedabad plane crash
Air India said that enhanced safety inspections have been completed on 26 out of its 33 aircraft mandated by aviation regulator DGCA. These 26 aircraft are cleared for service, according to the airline.
The inspection of the remaining aircraft will be complete in the coming days, it said.
“The fact that 26 aircraft have been cleared gives reassurance in the safety measures and procedures that we follow,” said Air India.
Earlier, DGCA ordered enhanced safety inspections across the private sector airline’s Boeing 787-8/9 aircraft fleet.
Air India said that the “investigating authorities are continuing their efforts to find out the reasons for the accident”.
‘Added precaution’
Air India said that as a matter of added precaution, it will also undertake enhanced safety checks on its Boeing 777 fleet. “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.
‘Air India remains in mourning…’: What Tata group airline said about flight AI171 Ahmedabad crash
The Tata group airline said it continues to be “in mourning on the tragic loss of 241 passengers and crew members aboard flight AI171. Our hearts are with the families, loved ones, and communities affected by the accident.”
“Precious lives of passengers, crew on board and those on the ground at the crash site, have been lost. At Air India, we consider the family members of the deceased as part of our larger family and stand in complete solidarity with all of them, in these difficult times,” it said.
It also said that it is putting “all possible efforts to support the family members of the deceased and the injured”, in coordination with the Ministry of Civil Aviation and the Gujarat state government.
‘We pray for departed souls…’
“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,” said Air India.
Temporary route curtailment owing to Middle East tensions
Air India said there were certain disruptions in its international operations over the past six days, leading to 83 cancellations.
These disruptions were due to a number of reasons, like 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 the necessary cautious approach being taken by the engineering staff and Air India pilots.
Apologising to the impacted passengers due to these curtailments, Air India said it 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 noted.
It also said that although these curtailments are “a painful measure to take”, they are also 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,” Air India added.
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