Air India Cancels Multiple Flights Due to Maintenance Issues
Air India has announced the cancellation of multiple flights due to maintenance and operational reasons, following a tragic incident last week. Affected routes include international flights from Dubai to Chennai and Delhi to Melbourne, among others. The airline is offering affected passengers options for rebooking, complimentary rescheduling, or full refunds. This decision comes as part of ongoing safety measures to ensure passenger confidence. Read on to learn more about the specific flights affected and the airline's response to the situation.
| Jun 20, 2025, 11:33 IST
Flight Cancellations Announced
According to reports, Air India announced on Friday the cancellation of several international and domestic flights due to maintenance and operational reasons. The affected flights include AI906 from Dubai to Chennai, AI308 from Delhi to Melbourne, AI309 from Melbourne to Delhi, AI2204 from Dubai to Hyderabad, and domestic flights AI874 from Pune to Delhi, AI456 from Ahmedabad to Delhi, AI2872 from Hyderabad to Mumbai, and AI571 from Chennai to Mumbai. This decision follows a tragic incident last week involving flight AI171 in Ahmedabad, which resulted in the loss of approximately 297 lives, including 241 passengers on board. Remarkably, one individual aboard the aircraft survived the accident.
Reasons Behind the Cancellations
Air India stated that the cancellations were necessitated by safety checks prior to flights and extended flight durations due to airspace closures in the Middle East. CEO and Managing Director Campbell Wilson mentioned that the airline will continue these safety inspections on its Boeing 787 and 777 fleets as a confidence-building measure. The airline is reaching out to affected passengers to offer rebooking on alternative flights, complimentary rescheduling, or full refunds based on their preferences.
Details of Canceled Flights
The canceled flights include both international and domestic routes connecting Dubai, Chennai, Delhi, Melbourne, Pune, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, and Mumbai. In a statement, Air India confirmed the cancellations of international flights AI906 from Dubai to Chennai, AI308 from Delhi to Melbourne, AI309 from Melbourne to Delhi, and AI2204 from Dubai to Hyderabad, along with domestic flights AI874 from Pune to Delhi, AI456 from Ahmedabad to Delhi, AI2872 from Hyderabad to Mumbai, and AI571 from Chennai to Mumbai due to maintenance and operational issues.
Refunds for Affected Passengers
Air India has assured affected passengers of full refunds or complimentary rescheduling and is assisting with alternative travel arrangements. The airline expressed regret for the inconvenience caused to travelers, stating, "Our ground staff are working diligently to arrange alternative flights for them to reach their destinations as soon as possible."