New Delhi, June 17, 2025 —
Air India has cancelled at least six international Dreamliner flights following heightened safety inspections on its Boeing 787-8 fleet. The move comes days after a crash involving a similar aircraft near Ahmedabad raised concerns among aviation authorities and travelers alike.
The affected routes include:
- Delhi–Paris
- Delhi–Dubai
- Delhi–Vienna
- Ahmedabad–London
- Bengaluru–London
- London–Amritsar
According to sources within Air India, the cancellations are part of a precautionary review of aircraft that were due for long-haul service. During pre-flight checks, engineers reportedly identified minor anomalies that warranted further examination. While no official fault was confirmed to be linked to the recent Ahmedabad crash, the airline has emphasized its “safety-first” stance.
“Our technical teams flagged a few inconsistencies in aircraft diagnostics during standard checks. These measures are part of routine global aviation compliance and customer safety protocols,” an Air India spokesperson said.
Passengers affected by the cancellations have been offered full refunds, alternate routing where available, and accommodation for overnight layovers. Travel agents and airport staff were reportedly notified just hours before the cancellations, leading to some disruptions at departure gates.
India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has launched a parallel review of all Dreamliners in the national carrier’s fleet. Global aviation analysts suggest that although the cancellations may affect scheduling in the short term, the airline’s proactive safety protocol could bolster public confidence in the long run.
This is the second major international disruption for Air India this quarter, following April’s emergency landing incident in Frankfurt caused by hydraulic failure. However, aviation experts have reiterated that such issues are not uncommon in large fleets and reflect the complexity of managing aging aircraft amid growing demand.
Further announcements are expected from Air India by mid-week as engineers complete detailed evaluations. Travelers are advised to check their flight status in advance and allow for extended rebooking timelines.
