Days after the devastating crash of Air India flight AI171 in Ahmedabad claimed 297 lives, Air India has cancelled several domestic and international flights citing a mix of enhanced safety protocols, airspace restrictions, and adverse weather conditions. The decision comes as the airline steps up safety and maintenance efforts following one of the deadliest air disasters in Indian aviation history.
In an official statement on Friday, the Tata Group-owned carrier said, “Air India’s international flights AI906 (Dubai–Chennai), AI308 (Delhi–Melbourne), AI309 (Melbourne–Delhi), and AI2204 (Dubai–Hyderabad), along with domestic flights AI874 (Pune–Delhi), AI456 (Ahmedabad–Delhi), AI2872 (Hyderabad–Mumbai), and AI571 (Chennai–Mumbai), have been cancelled due to enhanced maintenance and operational reasons.”
The airline stressed that all affected passengers would be eligible for full refunds or free rescheduling, and that ground staff were actively coordinating alternate travel arrangements.
The recent tragedy involving AI171, which crashed on approach to Ahmedabad airport, has shaken public confidence and prompted a series of internal reviews and safety checks across the Air India fleet. While investigations are ongoing, the airline has opted to ground several aircraft for deeper inspections, a move applauded by aviation safety advocates.
In addition to maintenance actions, airspace closures in the Middle East due to the ongoing Israel-Iran conflict have lengthened certain international flight durations, putting added strain on aircraft availability and scheduling. Combined with unpredictable monsoon weather, these factors have led to a rare multi-pronged disruption in operations.
Passengers have been advised to check flight status updates before travelling to the airport. Real-time information is available on www.airindia.com or by calling the customer care numbers 011 69329333 or 011 69329999.
Separately, the airline announced a temporary reduction in weekly services on select international routes between 21 June and 15 July 2025, along with the suspension of three routes during this period. These changes, Air India said, are part of a voluntary effort to “restore schedule stability” and prevent last-minute disruptions.
