Air India Cuts Narrowbody Flights by 5% and Suspends 3 Routes Until July 15

Key Takeaways

• Air India suspends three routes and cuts flights on 19 routes until July 15, 2025, citing safety concerns.
• The reductions follow the June 12, 2025 AI171 crash and DGCA-mandated safety inspections on Boeing 787 planes.
• Passengers affected receive alternative flights, free rescheduling, or full refunds with direct airline communication.

Air India Announces Further Flight Reductions After Safety Inspections: What Passengers Need to Know

Air India, one of the largest airlines in India, has announced more cuts to its flight schedule following a serious plane crash and new safety checks ordered by the government. Starting immediately and lasting until at least July 15, 2025, Air India will suspend three more routes and reduce the number of flights on 19 other routes. This comes just days after the airline already cut 15% of its international widebody flights. The main reason for these changes is to make sure all planes are safe and to avoid last-minute cancellations that can leave passengers stranded.

Let’s break down what’s happening, why these changes are taking place, and what it means for travelers, the airline, and the wider aviation sector.

What Has Air India Announced?

Air India has temporarily suspended three routes and reduced the number of flights on 19 others. These changes affect both domestic flights within India and short international flights to nearby countries. The cuts are in addition to the earlier 15% reduction in international widebody flights, which use larger planes for longer trips.

Suspended Routes (Until July 15, 2025)

• Bengaluru–Singapore (AI2392/2393): 7 weekly flights suspended
• Pune–Singapore (AI2111/2110): 7 weekly flights suspended
• Mumbai–Bagdogra (AI551/552): 7 weekly flights suspended

Routes with Fewer Flights

Air India is also reducing the number of flights on these important routes:

• Delhi–Mumbai: 176 to 165 weekly flights
• Mumbai–Kolkata: 42 to 30 weekly flights
• Bengaluru–Chandigarh: 14 to 7 weekly flights
• Delhi–Goa (Dabolim): 14 to 7 weekly flights
• Delhi–Goa (Mopa): 14 to 7 weekly flights
• Delhi–Hyderabad: 84 to 76 weekly flights
• Delhi–Indore: 21 to 14 weekly flights
• Delhi–Lucknow: 28 to 21 weekly flights
• Delhi–Pune: 59 to 54 weekly flights
• Delhi–Kolkata: 70 to 63 weekly flights
• Delhi–Coimbatore: 13 to 12 weekly flights
• Mumbai–Ahmedabad: 41 to 37 weekly flights
• Mumbai–Bengaluru: 91 to 84 weekly flights
• Mumbai–Coimbatore: 21 to 16 weekly flights
• Mumbai–Kochi: 40 to 34 weekly flights
• Mumbai–Goa (Dabolim): 34 to 29 weekly flights
• Mumbai–Hyderabad: 63 to 59 weekly flights
• Mumbai–Varanasi: 12 to 7 weekly flights

Despite these reductions, Air India will still run about 600 daily narrowbody flights across 120 different routes. Narrowbody planes are smaller and usually fly shorter distances.

Why Is Air India Cutting Flights?

The main reason for these cuts is safety. On June 12, 2025, Air India flight AI171 crashed in Ahmedabad, causing many deaths and injuries. This tragedy led the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), which is India’s main aviation safety authority, to order strict safety checks on Air India’s planes, especially the Boeing 787s used for long international flights.

Because of these checks, many planes had to be taken out of service for inspection. This made it hard for Air India to keep up with its normal schedule. To avoid last-minute cancellations and to make sure all flights are safe, the airline decided to cut back on both international and domestic flights.

Other reasons for the cuts include:

• Operational Stability: Air India wants to avoid sudden changes and keep its schedule reliable.
• External Factors: Night-time airspace curfews in some regions, ongoing tensions in the Middle East, and a more careful approach by pilots and engineers have made it harder to run all flights as planned.

How Long Will These Changes Last?

All the reductions are effective immediately and will last until at least July 15, 2025. Air India says it will restore its full schedule as soon as it is safe and practical to do so. The airline is working closely with the DGCA to complete all required safety checks.

What Support Is Air India Offering to Passengers?

Air India is trying to help passengers who are affected by these cuts. If your flight is canceled or changed, the airline will:

• Contact you directly to let you know about the change
• Offer you a seat on another flight if possible
• Let you reschedule your trip for free
• Give you a full refund if you prefer

You can check the latest updates and get help through Air India’s official website, mobile app, or by calling their contact center.

Summary of Passenger Support:

• Alternative flight bookings
• Complimentary rescheduling
• Full refunds

What Should Passengers Do If Their Flight Is Affected?

If you have a booking with Air India between now and July 15, 2025, here’s what you should do:

1. Check Your Flight Status: Go to Air India’s website, use their mobile app, or call the contact center to see if your flight is still operating.
2. Wait for Contact: Air India will try to reach out to you if your flight is affected, but you can also contact them first.
3. Choose Your Option: Decide if you want to rebook, reschedule, or get a refund.
4. Get Confirmation: Make sure you receive a written confirmation of your new booking or refund.

What Do These Cuts Mean for Passengers?

For travelers, these changes can be frustrating and may disrupt travel plans, especially for those flying on the suspended routes or on routes with fewer flights. Some passengers may have to change their travel dates, take connecting flights, or even cancel their trips.

However, Air India is offering several options to make things easier:

• Alternative flights on the same or similar routes
• Free rescheduling to another date
• Full refunds if you decide not to travel

It’s important for passengers to check their flight status regularly and to contact Air India as soon as possible if they need to make changes.

How Is Air India Handling the Situation?

Air India, now owned by the Tata Group, has said that safety is its top priority. The airline’s official statement reads:

“We apologise to the passengers affected by these curtailments. We remain committed to restoring our full schedule as soon as practicable, while at all times prioritising the safety of our passengers, crew, and aircraft.”

The airline is working with the DGCA to complete all safety checks and hopes to return to normal operations soon.

What Led to These Widebody Cuts and Suspended Routes?

The widebody cuts refer to the earlier decision by Air India to reduce its international flights that use large planes, like the Boeing 787. This was a direct result of the June 12 crash and the safety inspections that followed. With many of these planes grounded for checks, Air India had no choice but to cut back on long-distance international flights.

Now, with the suspended routes and reduced narrowbody flights, the impact is spreading to shorter domestic and regional flights as well. This means that even people traveling within India or to nearby countries like Singapore are affected.

What Are the Broader Implications for the Aviation Sector?

The situation at Air India is being closely watched by other airlines, regulators, and industry experts. Here’s what it could mean for the wider aviation sector:

• Increased Focus on Safety: Other airlines may also face stricter safety checks, especially if they operate similar aircraft.
• Operational Resilience: Airlines may need to plan for more disruptions and have backup plans in place.
• Passenger Trust: How airlines handle these situations can affect their reputation and customer loyalty.

According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, Air India’s approach—offering clear communication and flexible options for passengers—can help maintain trust during difficult times.

What Are Experts and Advocacy Groups Saying?

Aviation analysts believe that Air India’s cuts are a necessary step to meet safety rules and avoid bigger problems later. They say that being open with passengers and offering support is the right approach.

Passenger advocacy groups agree that safety should come first, but they also urge Air India to keep passengers informed and to process refunds and changes quickly.

Industry observers point out that while these cuts are disruptive, they are not as severe as a full shutdown of operations. They see Air India’s actions as a careful response to a crisis.

What Happens Next? Future Outlook

Air India has promised to restore its full schedule as soon as possible. This will likely happen after all safety inspections are finished and the DGCA gives the green light. However, the situation is still changing, and more cuts or changes could happen if new problems are found.

Passengers and industry watchers should keep an eye on Air India’s official channels and on updates from the DGCA for the latest news.

Official Resources and Where to Get Help

If you need more information or want to check your flight status, here are some useful links:

• Air India Official Website: www.airindia.com
• Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA): DGCA India
• Customer Service: Available through the website, app, or by phone

Summary Table: Air India Temporary Flight Reductions (June–July 2025)

Practical Guidance for Passengers

If you are booked to fly with Air India between now and July 15, 2025:

• Check your flight status as soon as possible
• Contact Air India if you haven’t heard from them and your flight is on a suspended or reduced route
• Decide if you want to rebook, reschedule, or get a refund
• Keep all emails and confirmations for your records

Conclusion: What Should Travelers and Stakeholders Expect?

The recent Air India widebody cuts and suspended routes are a direct response to a tragic accident and the need for strict safety checks. While these changes may cause inconvenience, they are meant to protect passengers and restore confidence in the airline’s operations. Air India’s promise to keep passengers informed and to offer flexible options is a positive step.

For now, travelers should stay updated, use official channels for information, and be ready for possible changes to their travel plans. The airline industry as a whole may see more focus on safety and reliability in the months ahead.

For the latest updates and to manage your bookings, always use Air India’s official website or contact their customer service. For regulatory information and safety updates, check the DGCA’s official portal.

By staying informed and flexible, passengers can better handle any disruptions caused by these temporary changes.

Learn Today

Widebody → Large aircraft with two aisles, mainly used for long international flights like Boeing 787s.
Narrowbody → Smaller aircraft with a single aisle, usually serving short domestic and regional routes.
DGCA → India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation, responsible for aviation safety and regulations.
Flight Suspension → Temporary halt of air service on specific routes for safety or operational reasons.
Operational Stability → Maintaining reliable and consistent airline schedules despite disruptions or external challenges.

This Article in a Nutshell

Air India cuts flights after the June 2025 crash to ensure safety. It suspends three routes, reduces 19 others, and offers passengers free rescheduling, refunds, and alternatives until July 15, 2025, prioritizing operational stability and DGCA’s thorough inspections of its Boeing 787 fleet.
— By VisaVerge.com