Following the tragic loss of passengers, crew members, and individuals on the ground in the AI171 incident on June 12, Air India has made several adjustments to its operations. The airline has expressed its deepest condolences and continued support for the families affected by this devastating event.
Since the tragedy, the airline has been in constant communication with the relevant authorities and has committed to offering all possible support to the families affected.
Since the assumption of leadership of Air India in 2022, Chief Commercial Officer Nipun Aggarwal assured that the airline prioritised safety for its passengers and travel partners. Additionally, Nipun shares that the involved aircraft, a Boeing 787, was well-maintained with thorough inspections conducted in the months leading up to the incident.
Following the event, Air India, in collaboration with the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), has initiated comprehensive safety checks for the rest of its fleet.
To date, 26 out of 33 Boeing 787 aircraft have passed these inspections, with the remaining aircraft undergoing planned maintenance. In addition, Air India is extending these checks to its Boeing 777 fleet as a precautionary measure.
The necessary safety reviews and adjustments have led to temporary changes in flight schedules. Air India has reduced its international widebody flights by approximately 15% from June 21 to July 15. These changes are crucial to ensuring the airline’s operations remain safe and resilient as it adjusts to this challenging situation.
The following routes have been affected:
- North America:
- Delhi-Toronto: Reduced from 13x weekly to 7x weekly.
- Delhi-San Francisco: Reduced from 10x weekly to 7x weekly.
- Delhi-Chicago: Reduced from 7x weekly to 3x weekly.
- Delhi-Washington (Dulles): Reduced from 5x weekly to 3x weekly.
- Europe:
- Delhi-London (Heathrow): Reduced from 24x weekly to 22x weekly.
- Delhi-Paris: Reduced from 14x weekly to 12x weekly.
- Delhi-Milan: Reduced from 7x weekly to 4x weekly.
- Delhi-Amsterdam: Reduced from 7x weekly to 5x weekly.
- Australia:
- Delhi-Melbourne: Reduced from 7x weekly to 5x weekly.
- Far East:
- Delhi-Tokyo (Haneda): Reduced from 7x weekly to 6x weekly.
- Delhi-Seoul (Incheon): Reduced from 5x weekly to 4x weekly.
For affected passengers, Air India is offering the following options:
- Rebooking on alternate flights at no extra charge.
- Rescheduling without penalty.
- Full refunds for those who choose to cancel their travel plans.
Air India remains fully focused on ensuring the highest standards of safety and service, issuing its gratitude for the ongoing support from its travel partners and customers.
For any assistance or clarification, travel partners are encouraged to reach out to the Air India Sales Team and review the airline’s IRROPS Policy for further details.
Press release
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