National carrier Air India has announced a strategic reduction of its international widebody flight operations by 15% as it grapples with a fleet crisis stemming from regulatory safety checks and external operational challenges. The temporary cuts are set to continue until mid-July, with the revised schedule to be implemented from June 20 onward.

This move comes on the heels of a sweeping directive issued by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), mandating urgent safety inspections of the airline’s Boeing 787 Dreamliner fleet. Of the 33 Dreamliners in service, 26 have cleared inspection, while checks on the remaining aircraft are currently underway and expected to conclude in the coming days.

Compounding the situation, Air India has voluntarily decided to extend similar enhanced safety inspections to its Boeing 777 fleet as a preemptive safety measure. In addition, airspace restrictions over Iran due to geopolitical tensions have further limited the airline's ability to maintain smooth international operations.

In a statement released on Wednesday, Air India said it has faced operational turbulence over the past week, resulting in 83 international flight cancellations. “The decision to trim our widebody schedule is a painful but necessary step. It allows us to build greater flexibility in fleet deployment and reduce the risk of last-minute cancellations,” the airline said.

The airline emphasized that its focus remains on minimizing disruption for passengers. Impacted travelers will be notified in advance and offered the choice of rescheduling without penalty or opting for a full refund.

“Given the unusual confluence of internal checks and external constraints, we have prioritized passenger convenience. These adjustments will help stabilise our operations and rebuild reliability,” the statement added.

Air India extended its apologies to affected passengers, assuring that the situation is being closely monitored and efforts are underway to restore full services at the earliest. It also thanked the Ministry of Civil Aviation, DGCA, and the travelling public for their patience and support during what it described as a “critical phase.”