Quantcast

Air India reduces international flights by 15% following Flight 171 crash

Air India reduces international flights by 15% following Flight 171 crash
Policy
Webp campbell wilson
Campbell Wilson CEO of Air India | Official Website

Air India has announced a temporary reduction in its international flights, trimming 15% of its long-range services. This decision follows the crash of Air India Flight 171, where a Boeing 787 Dreamliner went down shortly after takeoff, resulting in at least 280 fatalities. The airline will allow affected passengers to change their flights without charge or opt for a full refund.

The ongoing investigation into the incident is concentrating on potential technical issues with the aircraft. Authorities suspect a catastrophic fault may have caused the plane to glide into the ground with no apparent thrust. Consequently, Indian authorities have mandated inspections for all Boeing 787s equipped with GEnx engines within the country. Air India operates as India's sole carrier of these models and has also decided to inspect its Boeing 777 fleet voluntarily.

"Indian authorities have ordered immediate inspections of all Boeing 787s equipped with the GEnx engine registered in the nation," an Air India spokesperson stated. Although these checks are taking numerous planes out of service, initial findings have not uncovered any anomalies.

Get the Newsletter
Sign-up to receive weekly round up of news from Sky Industry News
By submitting, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. By providing your phone number you are opting in and consenting to receive recurring SMS/MMS messages, including automated texts, to that number from our short code. Msg & data rates may apply. Reply HELP for help, STOP to end. SMS opt-in will not be sold, rented, or shared.

External factors like airspace closures due to Middle Eastern military conflicts and night curfews in parts of Europe and Asia further complicate Air India's operations. The airline's CEO Campbell Wilson emphasizes that maintaining safety and reliability is paramount despite current challenges.

The carrier's widebody fleet consists of six Airbus A350s, which remain unaffected by special inspections, alongside older Boeing jets deemed at higher risk for technical faults. The airline operates several models, including five Boeing 777-200LRs previously owned by Delta Airlines and nineteen Boeing 777-300ERs, some acquired from Etihad Airways.

The crash represents a significant event in aviation history due to its unusual nature and marks the first hull loss involving a Boeing 787. Investigators are focusing on a possible dual-engine failure as the cause, though such failures are rare on modern jets.

An Air India spokesperson confirmed another incident where a Boeing 787 returned to Hong Kong mid-flight due to technical problems post-takeoff but emphasized that recent inspections have found no faults across their fleet so far.

Organizations Included in this History
More News

Flying Food Group has announced that a union employee at its Schiller Park, Illinois facility has filed a petition with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) seeking a vote to remove Unite Here Local 1 as the union representative for the...

Jul 8, 2025

Air New Zealand has launched Dream Seats, a nationwide initiative aimed at supporting New Zealanders in pursuing their dreams.

Jul 8, 2025

dnata Catering & Retail has entered into a management contract with PT IAS Hospitality Indonesia (IASH) to enhance the inflight catering business at Denpasar International Airport.

Jul 8, 2025

Emirates is set to introduce its Premium Economy service on the Dubai-Kolkata route, starting July 18, 2025.

Jul 8, 2025

FedEx has announced a partnership with FUSO to introduce 12 electric trucks into its ground transportation fleet in Taiwan.

Jul 8, 2025

Flight searches for summer travel in 2025 have increased by 7% compared to the previous year, with France experiencing a significant 35% rise in outbound travel searches.

Jul 8, 2025