Air India to Cut International Widebody Flights by 15%

Air India to Reduce International Widebody Flights by 15%

Air India has announced a 15% reduction in its international widebody flights over the coming weeks, citing a combination of operational challenges and heightened safety concerns. The cuts, effective immediately and expected to continue until at least mid-July, come at a critical juncture for the Tata Group-owned airline as it navigates mounting pressures across its global network.

Context and Causes of the Reduction

The decision follows a tragic crash last week involving Air India flight AI171, a Boeing 787 Dreamliner en route to London, which crashed shortly after departing Ahmedabad Airport. Of the 242 passengers and crew on board, only one survived. This incident has intensified scrutiny of Air India’s operations and prompted comprehensive safety inspections across its fleet.

In an official statement, Air India attributed the reduction in services to several interrelated factors. These include ongoing safety inspections mandated by India’s aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, night curfews in European and East Asian airspace, and a cautious stance adopted by engineering staff and pilots. The airline also highlighted rising operational costs, worsening supply chain disruptions, and weakening demand—particularly on North American routes—as significant contributors. Additionally, economic instability and global uncertainties, such as new tariffs imposed by the U.S. government, have further complicated the carrier’s operational outlook.

“Given the compounding circumstances that Air India is facing, and to ensure operational stability, better efficiency, and to minimise inconvenience to passengers, Air India has decided to reduce its international services on widebody aircraft by 15% for the next few weeks,” the airline stated. “This effectively adds to our reserve aircraft availability to manage any unplanned disruptions.”

Operational Impact and Industry Implications

Air India’s international operations rely heavily on Boeing aircraft, with nearly 90% of its long-haul capacity dependent on these jets. In contrast, domestic market leader IndiGo operates primarily with Airbus planes and has been expanding its international footprint. The current reduction in Air India’s international flights during the peak summer travel season is expected to benefit competitors, including IndiGo and other global carriers seeking to capture a larger share of outbound Indian travelers.

Over the past six days, Air India has cancelled a total of 83 flights. Passengers affected by these curtailments are being notified in advance and offered options to reschedule at no additional cost or receive full refunds. The airline has pledged to make every effort to accommodate travelers on alternate flights.

Safety Inspections and Future Plans

Enhanced safety inspections are underway across Air India’s Boeing 787-8 and 787-9 fleet. Of the 33 aircraft, 26 have been cleared for service, with the remainder expected to complete inspections shortly. Additional checks are also being conducted on the Boeing 777 fleet. Air India emphasized that the clearance of 26 aircraft is reassuring and reflects the robustness of its safety measures and procedures. The airline reaffirmed its commitment to cooperating fully with authorities to ensure the safety of passengers and crew.

A revised schedule for international services, effective from June 20, will be announced in the near future.