New Delhi, June 17 — In the wake of the catastrophic June 12 crash of Air India Flight AI171, which claimed 241 lives out of 242 onboard, the national carrier is grappling with widespread operational disruptions. A string of flight cancellations, technical diversions, and emergency returns have raised fresh concerns about the safety and reliability of its Boeing 787 Dreamliner fleet.
As part of intensified scrutiny, Air India today cancelled three international flights after initiating precautionary checks on its Dreamliner aircraft. These measures follow a directive from India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), issued in coordination with aviation regulators from the United States and United Kingdom, calling for a comprehensive inspection of all Boeing 787s operated by the airline.
Major Flight Cancellations
- Ahmedabad–London Gatwick (AI159) & Gatwick–Amritsar (AI170)
Flight AI159 was grounded due to aircraft unavailability, triggering the cancellation of its return service, AI170, scheduled to operate on June 17.
- Delhi–Paris (AI143) & Return (AI142)
Air India cancelled AI143 from Delhi to Paris on June 17 and the return leg, AI142, which was due to depart Paris on June 18, as part of the fleet review process.
- Bengaluru–London Heathrow (AI133)
Today’s scheduled flight AI133 from Bengaluru to London was also cancelled under the same precautionary maintenance protocols for the Boeing 787 fleet.
These international cancellations mark a deepening impact on Air India’s long-haul network since the Ahmedabad disaster, which occurred shortly after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. The ill-fated Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner crashed into a nearby hostel building, leaving only one survivor.
Domestic Operations Also Affected
- Mumbai–Ahmedabad (AI2493)
On June 16, flight AI2493 was cancelled after its crew exceeded duty time limits due to cascading delays—another symptom of the wider operational strain.
Technical Diversions and Emergency Returns
- San Francisco–Kolkata–Mumbai (AI180)
A Boeing 777-200LR operating as AI180 suffered a left-engine malfunction during a layover in Kolkata early on June 17. Passengers were safely deplaned, and maintenance work is underway.
- Hong Kong–Delhi (AI315)
On June 16, Boeing 787-8 flight AI315 returned to Hong Kong shortly after takeoff due to a suspected technical fault. The aircraft landed safely and remains under inspection.
- Delhi–Ranchi (Air India Express)
A June 16 Air India Express service to Ranchi was forced to return to Delhi due to an unspecified technical irregularity, according to sources familiar with the matter.
Bomb Threat Forces Emergency Landing
- Phuket–New Delhi (AI379)
On Friday, flight AI379 made an emergency landing in Thailand following a bomb threat discovered in an aircraft lavatory. All 156 passengers were safely evacuated, and Thai authorities launched an investigation into the incident.
Safety Oversight Intensifies
These incidents underscore the operational challenges Air India now faces amid global safety concerns. Authorities have launched a full-scale investigation into the crash of AI171, involving multiple international aviation bodies. The intensified safety inspections, combined with mounting technical anomalies, have led to increased scrutiny of Air India’s wide-body fleet.
While the DGCA and its international counterparts continue their investigation, Air India is expected to operate under heightened regulatory oversight in the weeks ahead. Industry analysts warn of continued flight disruptions and further inspection-related delays unless systemic maintenance and fleet-readiness issues are addressed swiftly.
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