India, United Kingdom, United States, Qatar, France, Netherlands, Australia, South Korea, Japan: Air India Cancels 20 Flights as Operations to London, Toronto, and San Francisco are Reduced

Friday, June 20, 2025

Air India (AI), India’s flagship carrier, has announced the temporary suspension of 20 flights across its domestic and international network on June 19, 2025. The disruptions, impacting key hubs like Indira Gandhi International (DEL) in Delhi, Dubai International (DXB), and London Heathrow (LHR), stemmed from safety inspections, regional airspace restrictions, and ongoing operational challenges. The move comes amid a broader restructuring of Air India’s international flight schedules due to heightened safety protocols and geopolitical risks in the Middle East.

With Air India making the announcement, affected routes spanned regions such as Europe, Asia, and India, causing significant disruptions for travelers. As the airline continues to manage these challenges, it is important to note that the safety of passengers and crew remains Air India’s top priority. In this article, we’ll explore the reasons behind these cancellations, the affected routes, and what passengers can expect in terms of flight adjustments.

Flight Cancellations and Network Disruptions

On Thursday, June 19, Air India canceled over 20 flights, causing frustration and inconvenience for hundreds of passengers across both domestic and international routes. Major long-haul services were affected, including flights from Dubai (DXB) to Delhi (DEL), Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS) to Delhi (DEL), and Zurich (ZRH) to Delhi (DEL). Additionally, routes such as Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) to Delhi (DEL) and Bengaluru (BLR) to London Heathrow (LHR) were impacted as well.

On the domestic front, cancellations affected busy routes connecting Mumbai (BOM), Ahmedabad (AMD), Pune (PNQ), Amritsar (ATQ), Indore (IDR), Kolkata (CCU), Coimbatore (CJB), and Vadodara (BDQ), disrupting the travel plans of passengers across the Indian subcontinent.

In total, 20 flights were grounded, affecting several hundred passengers. The sudden reduction in services can be attributed to aircraft inspections, operational limitations, and safety checks initiated in light of recent events. This development also reflects the growing importance of pre-flight safety checks and regional airspace restrictions that have forced Air India to make difficult decisions in the best interest of its passengers and crew.

Air India Cuts International Operations by 15%

In an effort to stabilize operations and adhere to safety protocols, Air India has implemented a temporary 15% reduction in its international widebody flight operations. This move specifically impacts the Boeing 787 Dreamliner and Boeing 777 aircraft in service. The airline has confirmed that this reduction will be in effect until at least mid-July 2025 and is primarily due to:

Increased geopolitical risks in the Middle East.Nighttime airspace curfews in Europe and East Asia.Precautionary safety checks across its fleet.

As part of this decision, Air India is conducting one-time inspections on its Boeing 777 aircraft and intensified checks on its Boeing 787 fleet in accordance with guidelines from India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). The safety checks are part of an effort to ensure that the aircraft are operating in line with the highest safety standards, given recent developments in both domestic and international aviation.

Routes Affected by Air India Flight Reductions

The temporary reduction in international operations will affect several long-haul routes, particularly those that rely on the Boeing 787 and 777 aircraft. Starting from June 21 and continuing at least through July 15, 2025, Air India will temporarily suspend or reduce frequencies on various international routes.

The affected services include:

Delhi (DEL) – Nairobi (NBO): Flight AI961/962 will be suspended until June 30, reducing service from four weekly flights to none.Amritsar (ATQ) – London Gatwick (LGW): Flight AI169/170 will be reduced to three weekly services.Goa Mopa (GOX) – London Gatwick (LGW): Flight AI145/146 will also be reduced to three weekly flights.Reduced Frequencies on North America Routes

Air India has made substantial cuts to its transatlantic services, reducing the frequency of flights between Delhi and North America. These adjustments will affect the following routes:

Delhi (DEL) – Toronto (YYZ): Reduced from 13 weekly flights to 7.Delhi (DEL) – Vancouver (YVR): Reduced from 7 weekly flights to 5.Delhi (DEL) – San Francisco (SFO): Reduced from 10 weekly flights to 7.Delhi (DEL) – Chicago (ORD): Reduced from 7 weekly flights to 3.Delhi (DEL) – Washington Dulles (IAD): Reduced from 5 weekly flights to 3.

These reductions are part of the airline’s effort to maintain schedule reliability while ensuring the safety and operational efficiency of its long-haul flights.

Adjustments to European Flight Schedules

Air India is also adjusting its flight schedules across various European destinations:

Delhi (DEL) – London Heathrow (LHR): Reduced from 24 weekly flights to 22.Bengaluru (BLR) – London Heathrow (LHR): Reduced from 7 weekly flights to 6.Amritsar (ATQ)/Delhi (DEL) – Birmingham (BHX): Reduced from 3 weekly flights to 2.Delhi (DEL) – Paris (CDG): Reduced from 14 weekly flights to 12.Delhi (DEL) – Milan (MXP): Reduced from 7 weekly flights to 4.Delhi (DEL) – Copenhagen (CPH): Reduced from 5 weekly flights to 3.Delhi (DEL) – Vienna (VIE): Reduced from 4 weekly flights to 3.Delhi (DEL) – Amsterdam (AMS): Reduced from 7 weekly flights to 5.

These adjustments will impact travel plans for passengers heading to Europe from India, but Air India is working to minimize disruptions and offer alternative options for rebooking.

Impact on Australia and Far-East Asia Routes

Air India’s Australia and Far-East Asia networks will also face moderate reductions:

Delhi (DEL) – Melbourne (MEL) and Sydney (SYD): Reduced from 7 weekly flights to 5.Delhi (DEL) – Tokyo Haneda (HND): Reduced from 7 weekly flights to 6.Delhi (DEL) – Seoul Incheon (ICN): Reduced from 5 weekly flights to 4.

These cuts are part of the airline’s efforts to adjust to increased flight durations caused by Middle East airspace closures and other operational challenges.

Passenger Assistance and Plans for Restoration

In response to the flight cancellations and schedule adjustments, Air India has issued an official apology for the inconvenience caused to its passengers. The airline is reaching out to affected travelers to offer rebooking on alternate services, complimentary rescheduling, or full refunds.

Passengers are encouraged to check Air India’s digital platforms and contact centers for updates on the revised schedules. The airline has assured travelers that it is committed to resuming its full international schedule as soon as conditions permit, with safety remaining the top priority for operations.

Safety Measures Following Fatal Crash

The recent fatal crash involving Air India Flight AI171 near Ahmedabad (AMD), which tragically claimed over 270 lives, has prompted the DGCA to mandate immediate safety audits for all Boeing 787 aircraft. As part of the ongoing safety review:

26 of 33 Dreamliners have been inspected and cleared.66 Dreamliner flights have been canceled since the incident.Boeing 777s are undergoing additional precautionary reviews.

While the immediate focus is on stabilizing operations and ensuring passenger safety, Air India remains committed to its long-term growth and recovery. The airline, under Tata Sons’ ownership, continues to make significant strides in modernizing its fleet, expanding its pilot training programs, and fulfilling large-scale aircraft orders.

Looking Ahead: Air India’s Commitment to Safety and Growth

Despite the operational challenges, Air India is committed to its growth roadmap and safety initiatives. Industry veterans have expressed confidence that this temporary setback will not derail the airline’s resurgence, particularly as India’s aviation sector continues to expand. As Air India works to resolve these challenges, passengers can expect the airline to remain focused on safety, reliability, and customer satisfaction.