3 routes suspended, reduced frequency on 18: Details of Air India’s international flight curtailment plan
Air India has initiated a major flight curtailment plan affecting international operations, driven by three major factors:
- Safety Inspections Post-Crash: A deadly crash on June 12 involving AI171 (Boeing 787-8) from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick prompted the DGCA to mandate detailed inspections on all Dreamliners.
- Geopolitical Tensions: The airline faces longer flight times due to airspace issues tied to the Israel-Iran conflict and Pakistan’s ongoing airspace restrictions.
- Operational Flexibility: To avoid last-minute cancellations, Air India is temporarily grounding some aircraft and reducing its schedule.
📍 Complete List of Suspended Routes
Air India has temporarily suspended the following three international routes from June 21 to July 15, 2025:
- Delhi – Nairobi (4x weekly)
- Amritsar – London Gatwick (3x weekly)
- Goa (Mopa) – London Gatwick (3x weekly)
These suspensions help free up widebody aircraft for other routes under pressure.
🔁 International Routes with Reduced Frequency
Air India has reduced frequencies on 18 international routes as part of this flight curtailment strategy. Here’s a sector-wise breakdown:
🇺🇸 North America (Delhi-Based)
| Route | Previous | Reduced |
|---|---|---|
| Delhi – Toronto | 13/week | 7/week |
| Delhi – Vancouver | 7/week | 5/week |
| Delhi – San Francisco | 10/week | 7/week |
| Delhi – Chicago | 7/week | 3/week |
| Delhi – Washington DC | 5/week | 3/week |
🇬🇧 UK & 🇪🇺 Europe
| Route | Previous | Reduced |
|---|---|---|
| Delhi – London (Heathrow) | 24/week | 22/week |
| Bengaluru – London | 7/week | 6/week |
| Amritsar – Birmingham | 3/week | 2/week |
| Delhi – Birmingham | 3/week | 2/week |
| Delhi – Paris | 14/week | 12/week |
| Delhi – Milan | 7/week | 4/week |
| Delhi – Copenhagen | 5/week | 3/week |
| Delhi – Vienna | 4/week | 3/week |
| Delhi – Amsterdam | 7/week | 5/week |
🇦🇺 Australia
| Route | Previous | Reduced |
|---|---|---|
| Delhi – Melbourne | 7/week | 5/week |
| Delhi – Sydney | 7/week | 5/week |
🌏 East Asia
| Route | Previous | Reduced |
|---|---|---|
| Delhi – Tokyo | 7/week | 6/week |
| Delhi – Seoul | 5/week | 4/week |
🛫 Duration of Curtailment
- Start Date: June 21, 2025
- Expected End: July 15, 2025
- The routes will be reviewed based on safety inspections and geopolitical conditions.
🔍 Fleet and Safety Inspections
- DGCA ordered full technical checks on all 33 Boeing 787 aircraft; 26 have cleared.
- Voluntary checks are also underway on Air India’s Boeing 777 fleet.
- No systemic fault has been discovered, but operations are being slowed for caution.
📉 Capacity Impact
- Air India is reducing nearly 38 flights per week, accounting for 15% of its international widebody network.
- These cuts allow buffer time for maintenance and reduce risk of cascading delays.
📞 Passenger Assistance
Air India is offering full support for affected customers, including:
- Free Rescheduling
- Full Refunds
- Rebooking on Other Flights
The airline has advised passengers to check flight status via its official app, website, or call centers.
🗺️ Wider Context: What’s Causing the Pressure?
- Ahmedabad Crash Fallout: The June 12 incident has forced heightened regulatory scrutiny.
- Airspace Disruptions: Pakistan’s airspace restrictions and diversions over the Middle East increase flight durations.
- Airport Night Curfews: Major hubs like London, Paris, and Tokyo limit late-night operations, tightening aircraft rotation windows.
🛠️ What’s Next for Air India?
- The airline hopes to restore normal operations by mid-July.
- This depends on the outcome of inspections and potential resolution of airspace issues.
- Meanwhile, an official investigation into the crash is underway with assistance from Boeing and global regulators.
✅ Key Takeaways
- 3 suspended routes, 18 reduced-frequency routes
- Flight curtailment affects North America, Europe, Australia, and Asia
- ~15% capacity cut till mid-July 2025
- Passengers offered refunds, rebookings, and reschedules
- Focus remains on safety and reliability
