Air India Crash 2025 Prompts 15% Flight Cut

In a major operational move, Air India has announced a 15% reduction in its international widebody airplane activity following the tragic crash of airliner AI-171. This change came just a week after a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner destined for London from Ahmedabad crashed, killing 241 passengers and crew above the ground and on the ground, bringing the total loss of life to at least 270.

Thus far, this announcement has become one of the most reported news stories in a short period of time as aviation regulators and the national airline scramble to put in new safety measures.

Ship Stand Stills and Flight Returns

Currently, India has an operational fleet of 33 Boeing 787 Dreamliners, all of which are classified as widebody – an airplane defined by two aisles for long-haul and international aircraft. On Tuesday, the airline announced the cancellation of six international flights aboard a Dreamliner. Other links in disrupted operations have included:

• Returning to origin station for a flight from Hong Kong to Delhi due to a technical issue.
• A stop in Kolkata for a San Francisco–Mumbai operation due to an issue detected.
• More Dreamliner aircraft operated by Lufthansa and British Airways return mid-flight due to a technical issue en route to India.

These incidents raise broader questions about reliability when operating aircraft fleets, even though both Air India and regulators insist that safety remains at the same level.

DGCA and Ministry Updates: Inspections Continue

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) met with senior leadership of Air India and Air India Express to discuss specific issues with their maintenance practices and the interaction between the engineering department and operations.

Following the meeting, the DGCA directed the airline to:

• Improve communication between departments.
• Ensure necessary availability of spare parts.
• Continually follow safety regulations to minimize passenger delays.

The Ministry of Civil Aviation noted its “recent survey of Air India’s Boeing 787 fleet found no safety issues of significance,” stating the maintenance systems acted in compliance with industry standards.

Safety Inspections Present Limited Approval

With the crash and additional scrutiny, Air India also implemented “Enhanced Safety Inspections” of the Boeing 787-8 and 787-9 features. Of the 33 aircraft operating, 26 of the aircraft have obtained authorization to fly, while inspections on the remaining aircraft continue at a significant depth.

Air India also stated it would initiate a similar enhanced inspection program on its Boeing 777 fleet to reinforce its commitment to recover public confidence and completed operations safely.

Operational Disruptions and Global Influences

Besides internal challenges, the airline pointed to external forces causing flight delays and cancellations:

• Geopolitical conflict in the Middle East
• Curfews during the nighttime in air space across Europe and East Asia
• The ongoing safety assessments
• The careful approach taken by Air India’s engineering teams and pilots

All of these factors have resulted in 83 cancellations of international flights in just the past six days.

To remedy the situation and mitigate future passenger impact, Air India will implement a 15% reduction in widebody international capacity from today until sometime in mid-July.

Regaining Confidence and Safety

Air India indicated that these operational reductions are temporary solutions to get operations back in stability. The airline reaffirmed its commitment to safety and efficiency, noting: “The release of 26 aircraft puts confidence in the safety regulations and guidelines we follow.”

While the decision to suspend services is uncomfortable, possible in the near future, it clearly illustrates a forward-looking approach that embraces safety more than speed—an important decision for the carrier as it works through one of its most tragic and most complex periods in recent memory.

Look for more recent news updates regarding the ongoing investigation of the AI-171 crash, Air India’s fleet decision, and the ramifications for international aviation safety.