How Air India Cancels 20 New Flights Across Dubai, Europe, and Indian Domestic Routes Amid Safety Inspections and Geopolitical Tensions – Travel And Tour World

In a significant blow to air travel operations, Air India cancelled 20 flights on Thursday, severely affecting both international and domestic travel networks. Data from FlightAware confirmed that the cancellations encompassed a wide spectrum of long-haul routes to major international destinations such as Dubai, several European hubs, and key domestic routes across India. These disruptions come at a time when the airline is navigating a complex crisis triggered by a deadly crash and rising geopolitical tensions.

Widespread Disruption Across Major Travel Hubs

The ripple effects of these cancellations were immediately felt by passengers, particularly those traveling to and from major international hubs like Dubai, Amsterdam, Paris, Zurich, and London. The following high-profile international flights were among those suspended:

• AI916 from Dubai International Airport (DXB) to Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL), scheduled for Thursday evening.
• AI156 from Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (AMS) to Delhi (DEL).
• AI152 from Zurich Airport (ZRH) to Delhi (DEL).
• AI143 from Delhi (DEL) to Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG).
• AI133 from Bengaluru (BLR) to London Heathrow Airport (LHR).

These key international sectors serve thousands of passengers daily and are part of Air India’s vital long-haul network, particularly involving its fleet of Boeing 787 Dreamliners and Boeing 777 aircraft.

Domestic Operations Also Hit Hard

In addition to global routes, the airline’s domestic network was not spared. Routes between India’s major metros and tier-2 cities experienced numerous cancellations. Flights between Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Ahmedabad, Pune, Amritsar, Indore, Kolkata, Coimbatore, and Vadodara were heavily affected, leaving scores of passengers stranded and scrambling for alternatives. The timing of these cancellations—amid high summer travel demand—has further amplified the scale of inconvenience.

Air India Slashes 15% of International Widebody Flights

In a statement issued on Wednesday, Air India announced a drastic measure to mitigate the impact of ongoing challenges: a 15% reduction in international widebody operations. This cutback will particularly affect services operated by Boeing 787 Dreamliners and 777s and is set to remain in place until at least mid-July.

The airline cited several pressing issues for the curtailment, including:

• Rising instability across the Middle East, impacting flight routes and security assessments.
• Implementation of night curfews in key parts of European and East Asian airspace, restricting operational windows.
• Ongoing safety checks on the Dreamliner fleet, triggered by a recent fatal crash.

Boeing 777 Inspections Underway

In addition to enhanced scrutiny of its Boeing 787 fleet, Air India is conducting precautionary inspections on its Boeing 777 aircraft. These checks are being carried out as part of the airline’s efforts to fortify safety standards across its long-haul fleet. The airline emphasized that these are one-time inspections meant to provide assurance to regulators and passengers alike.

Impact of Fatal AI171 Crash and Airspace Limitations

The grounding of widebody aircraft is closely tied to the tragic crash of Air India Flight AI171, which took place last week. The flight, en route from Dubai to Ahmedabad, crashed during landing, resulting in over 270 fatalities. The incident is now considered one of the deadliest civil aviation disasters in India in more than a decade.

In the aftermath, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), India’s civil aviation watchdog, mandated enhanced safety inspections for all Boeing 787s operated by Air India. As of Thursday, 83 widebody flights had been cancelled since the incident—66 of which were Dreamliner-operated routes.

According to DGCA reports, 26 out of Air India’s 33 Boeing 787s have undergone thorough inspections and have been cleared for operation. However, the remaining aircraft are still subject to detailed checks. The inspection regime includes examining systems compliance, maintenance protocols, and onboard equipment performance.

Second Black Box Recovered Amid Investigation

Investigators recently recovered the second black box from the wreckage of Flight AI171. While the data is still under analysis, preliminary reports from DGCA indicate that no major mechanical or systemic faults have been found in the inspected aircraft. Maintenance protocols and operational records so far appear to be in accordance with safety norms.

Nonetheless, the accident has cast a long shadow over public confidence and the airline’s operational stability. Several passengers have taken to social media expressing concerns over flight safety, delay compensations, and lack of timely communication from the airline’s customer support.

Middle East Geopolitical Tensions Add to Woes

Adding to Air India’s operational distress is the ongoing geopolitical tension in the Middle East, particularly due to the escalated Iran-Israel conflict. This has led to flight path disruptions, airspace limitations, and security-related scheduling changes. UAE-based travelers have begun cancelling or rescheduling trips to Europe and the United States amid rising fears of airspace closures or rerouted flights, further compounding losses for carriers like Air India.

Industry-Wide Repercussions

Air India isn’t the only airline under pressure. Regional carriers such as Wizz Air have extended flight cancellations through September 2025, citing the same regional tensions and airspace vulnerabilities. These developments indicate a broader strain on airlines operating in and around the Middle East corridor, with ripple effects expected to reach global aviation markets.

Talent Drain: Air India Pilots Tapped by Competitors

In a related development, over 100 Air India pilots were reportedly approached for new roles at Scoot, Singapore Airlines’ low-cost subsidiary, just days before the AI171 crash. While this trend of talent poaching is not new, it has brought into sharp focus the need for improved pilot retention, training, and morale at Air India.

Industry insiders argue that amid aircraft inspections and route cancellations, the airline also faces a critical human resources challenge in maintaining a steady, experienced pilot workforce to resume normal operations post-crisis.

Temporary Setback to a Broader Vision

Despite the scale of disruption, aviation experts maintain that the current crisis, while severe, is unlikely to derail Air India’s long-term strategic plans. Since being taken over by Tata Sons in 2022, the airline has aggressively pursued a transformational agenda that includes:

• Placing large orders for new-generation aircraft.
• Rebranding with a modern, unified identity.
• Upgrading onboard products and digital experiences.
• Investing in pilot training and crew efficiency programs.

Former Air India executive Jitender Bhargava remarked: “If you ask me whether the accident will derail the ambitious growth plans — no way. There can be no looking back.”

His comments reflect growing optimism within aviation circles that the airline’s revival under Tata Group, while facing turbulence today, remains on course for a long-haul comeback.

Passenger Confidence and Communication Still a Concern

As cancellations persist and safety inspections continue, the airline faces increasing pressure to communicate clearly and compassionately with affected passengers. Feedback on social platforms suggests a gap in timely updates, rebooking support, and overall customer handling during the crisis.

Several travelers noted that while safety remains paramount, the absence of proactive outreach from Air India has left many uncertain and stranded without assistance. Some passengers on cancelled international routes described chaotic scenes at check-in counters, citing inadequate staffing and long delays in issuing alternative itineraries or refunds.

Looking Ahead: A Test of Resilience

The coming weeks will prove critical for Air India as it works to stabilize operations, restore customer trust, and accelerate fleet inspections. Industry watchers will be closely monitoring the pace at which the remaining Dreamliners and 777s are cleared for service.

Meanwhile, the airline’s leadership must also navigate the external threats of geopolitical instability, labor shifts, and increased competition on premium long-haul routes.

If successfully managed, this period of adversity may become a defining chapter in Air India’s ongoing transformation under Tata Group stewardship—one marked not by the tragedy of Flight AI171 alone, but by the resilience and renewal that followed.