66 Air India Dreamliner flights cancelled since crash that killed 270

In the aftermath of the tragic Air India crash on June 12 that claimed 270 lives, the airline has cancelled 66 Boeing 787 Dreamliner flights, with an additional 17 widebody flights disrupted due to safety and operational challenges. The cancellations stem from intensified safety inspections, technical snags, and global airspace closures, severely impacting Air India’s international operations.

According to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), the post-crash fallout has resulted in 83 total widebody flight cancellations, with Dreamliners alone accounting for the bulk of the disruptions. As of June 18, 24 of the airline’s 33 Dreamliners have completed enhanced safety checks, while others remain grounded.

On Tuesday, 13 Dreamliner flights were cancelled, including AI-159 from Ahmedabad to London, the same route and aircraft model as the deadly crash. This flight, originally AI-171, was renamed following the tragedy. It was eventually cancelled due to aircraft unavailability caused by delays from London and extended ground inspections.

Also grounded was AI-143 (Delhi–Paris) after it failed mandatory pre-flight checks. Due to Paris airport’s night-time flight curbs, the return flight (AI-142) was cancelled as well. Similarly, AI-180 from San Francisco to Mumbai via Kolkata was terminated in Kolkata following a technical snag in one of its engines, affecting its return leg (AI-179).

Other impacted routes included:

- Delhi–Dubai (AI-915)

- Bengaluru–London Heathrow (AI-133)

- Delhi–Vienna (AI-153)

- Domestic sectors like Delhi-Indore, Delhi-Trivandrum, Delhi-Mumbai, and Delhi-Hyderabad due to adverse weather.

Aviation safety expert Mohan Ranganathan said the ripple effects were inevitable.

Air India is currently providing full refunds, complimentary rescheduling, and hotel stays for stranded passengers. Investigative teams from India, the US, the UK, Boeing, and GE are stationed in Ahmedabad probing the crash.