Air India’s Summer Shake-Up: 787 & 777 Flights Suspended—What Travelers Need to Know

Unknown Apr 02, 2026 1,050 Views

In the wake of a devastating Boeing 787 crash that claimed over 240 lives, Air India has announced a sweeping temporary suspension and reduction of its long-haul international flights operated by Boeing 787 and 777 aircraft. The move, effective from June 21 through at least July 15, 2025, is part of a broader effort to restore operational stability, enhance safety, and minimize last-minute passenger disruptions amid ongoing safety inspections and geopolitical challenges.

Key Highlights

15% Cut in International Widebody Operations: Air India is reducing its long-haul schedule by 15%, citing the need for enhanced pre-flight safety checks and longer flight times due to Middle East airspace closures.

Three Routes Fully Suspended Until July 15:

Delhi–Nairobi (AI961/962): 4x weekly (suspended until June 30)
Amritsar–London (Gatwick) (AI169/170): 3x weekly
Goa (Mopa)–London (Gatwick) (AI145/146): 3x weekly

Significant Frequency Reductions on 16 Major Routes:

North America:

Delhi–Toronto: 13→7 weekly
Delhi–Vancouver: 7→5 weekly
Delhi–San Francisco: 10→7 weekly
Delhi–Chicago: 7→3 weekly
Delhi–Washington (Dulles): 5→3 weekly

Europe:

Delhi–London (Heathrow): 24→22 weekly
Bengaluru–London (Heathrow): 7→6 weekly
Amritsar/Delhi–Birmingham: 3→2 weekly
Delhi–Paris: 14→12 weekly
Delhi–Milan: 7→4 weekly
Delhi–Copenhagen: 5→3 weekly
Delhi–Vienna: 4→3 weekly
Delhi–Amsterdam: 7→5 weekly

Australia:

Delhi–Melbourne/Sydney: 7→5 weekly

Far East:

Delhi–Tokyo (Haneda): 7→6 weekly
Delhi–Seoul (Incheon): 5→4 weekly

Passenger Support: Affected travelers can reschedule at no extra cost or opt for a full refund. Air India is proactively reaching out to offer rebooking or alternative arrangements.

Safety Inspections: Following the crash, India’s DGCA mandated enhanced safety checks. Of 33 Dreamliners, 26 have cleared inspections; the rest are undergoing checks. Air India is also voluntarily inspecting its Boeing 777 fleet.

External Factors: The airline cited increased flight durations due to Middle East airspace closures, night curfews in Europe and East Asia, and the need for additional spare aircraft as reasons for the temporary cuts.

“The curtailments are a painful measure to take, but necessary following a devastating event and an unusual combination of external events. It is done to restore operational stability and minimize last-minute inconvenience to passengers.” — Air India CEO

What’s Next?

Air India aims to complete all mandated inspections and restore its full international schedule as soon as possible. The airline has apologized for the inconvenience and is working closely with regulators to ensure the highest safety standards.

Source: Moneycontrol News

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