New Delhi: Air India has cancelled eight more flights today, including four domestic and four international services, as part of precautionary measures taken to address maintenance and operational issues. This brings the total number of flight cancellations to 84 in just nine days, following the tragic Boeing 787 incident in Ahmedabad on June 12.
In an official statement, the Tata-owned airline confirmed that the cancellations are part of an intensified safety protocol aimed at improving fleet reliability and ensuring passenger safety across its network.
List of Cancelled Flights – June 20
Domestic Routes:
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AI874: Pune to Delhi
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AI456: Ahmedabad to Delhi
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AI2872: Hyderabad to Mumbai
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AI571: Chennai to Mumbai
International Routes:
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AI906: Dubai to Chennai
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AI308: Delhi to Melbourne
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AI309: Melbourne to Delhi
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AI2204: Dubai to Hyderabad
Emergency Mid-Air Return: Delhi to Vietnam
On Thursday, an Air India flight (AI388) en route from Delhi to Vietnam was forced to return mid-air due to a technical glitch. The Airbus A320 Neo, carrying 130 passengers, landed safely in Delhi. No injuries were reported, and all passengers were safely disembarked.
Industry-Wide Operational Challenges
Air India is not alone in facing operational hurdles. Several other airlines reported emergency returns due to technical issues:
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A Guwahati-Chennai private carrier diverted to Bengaluru for refuelling, carrying 168 passengers.
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IndiGo’s Delhi-Leh flight (6E 2006) returned shortly after takeoff due to a technical fault, with 180 passengers onboard.
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A SpiceJet Hyderabad-Tirupati service (SG 2696) returned 10 minutes after departure due to a rear door warning, carrying 80 passengers.
38 Weekly International Flights to be Cut Temporarily
In a separate announcement, Air India revealed it will temporarily reduce 38 international flights per week and suspend three key routes between June 21 and July 15, 2025, to maintain operational stability and reduce last-minute cancellations.
Suspended Routes Include:
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Delhi–Nairobi (4 times/week)
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Amritsar–London Gatwick (3 times/week)
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Goa (Mopa)–London Gatwick (3 times/week)
Reduced Frequencies on 18 Major Routes Covering:
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North America: Toronto, Vancouver, San Francisco, Chicago, Washington
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Europe: London, Paris, Milan, Vienna, Amsterdam, Copenhagen, Birmingham
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Asia-Pacific: Tokyo, Seoul, Melbourne, Sydney
Strengthened Safety Measures After Crash
The airline attributed the temporary cuts to enhanced pre-flight safety inspections, particularly across its Boeing 787 and 777 aircraft. These steps, combined with restricted airspace over parts of the Middle East and nighttime airport limitations, have impacted schedule planning.
“These measures, though disruptive in the short term, are essential for long-term safety and operational excellence,” Air India noted.
CEO Acknowledges Disruptions, Apologises to Passengers
Air India CEO and MD Campbell Wilson addressed passengers directly, stating:
“The added time required for enhanced safety inspections, along with external constraints like airspace closures and routine technical issues, have led to an increase in flight disruptions, particularly on long-haul routes. The temporary cutbacks will allow us to maintain standby aircraft to manage any unforeseen problems.”
He assured that passenger safety remains the airline’s highest priority.
Passenger Support: Refunds and Rescheduling Options
Air India confirmed it is contacting all affected travellers individually and offering them:
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Alternative flight options
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Free rescheduling
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Full refunds, depending on the passenger’s choice
Travellers are strongly advised to check flight status updates before departure.