Air India Cancels Multiple Flights Amid Safety Inspections Following Ahmedabad Crash

New Delhi: Air India has cancelled several domestic and international flights on Friday, citing enhanced maintenance protocols and operational adjustments in the aftermath of the tragic Ahmedabad plane crash on June 12.

In a statement, the airline said, “Flights have been cancelled due to enhanced maintenance and operational reasons.” The incident, which claimed the lives of 241 passengers and 33 people on the ground, has prompted the carrier to intensify safety checks and temporarily scale back operations.

Among the affected international flights are:

• AI906 – Dubai to Chennai
• AI308 – Delhi to Melbourne
• AI309 – Melbourne to Delhi
• AI2204 – Dubai to Hyderabad

Domestic cancellations include:

• AI874 – Pune to Delhi
• AI456 – Ahmedabad to Delhi
• AI2872 – Hyderabad to Mumbai
• AI571 – Chennai to Mumbai

To ease passenger concerns, Air India has initiated full refunds for cancelled tickets and is offering complimentary rescheduling for affected travelers. “We regret the inconvenience caused and assure that our ground staff are working to arrange alternate travel options at the earliest,” the airline added.

Passengers are advised to check their flight status before proceeding to the airport, as ongoing aircraft inspections, adverse weather, and regional airspace restrictions may lead to further disruptions.

Additionally, Air India has announced a temporary reduction of its wide-body international schedule by approximately 15% starting Friday, continuing through mid-July. This is part of a broader safety initiative involving thorough pre-flight checks and adjustments to route durations due to Middle East airspace closures.

“Our focus remains on restoring schedule reliability and ensuring passenger safety while minimizing last-minute disruptions,” the airline concluded.