Air India has announced a significant reduction in its international flight operations, citing safety reviews and operational challenges in the wake of last month’s deadly crash. The decision comes as the airline faces intense scrutiny over service disruptions, delays, and growing passenger frustration.
In a statement posted on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Air India said: “After a thorough review of our global network, we have made the difficult decision to reduce select international flights to ensure safe, reliable operations. We regret the inconvenience and are working to accommodate affected passengers.”
The move follows widespread chaos across Air India’s network, with the New York Times reporting severe delays, last-minute cancellations, and stranded passengers in hubs like Delhi, London, and New York. The airline, which has been struggling with ageing aircraft and staffing shortages, faced further backlash after a Mumbai-Dubai flight was forced to make an emergency landing due to a technical malfunction earlier this week.
Australia Flights Hit Hard
Services to Australia will be among the hardest hit, with flights from Delhi and Mumbai to Melbourne and Sydney reduced from daily to just four per week. The cuts leave hundreds of passengers—including students, tourists, and business travellers—scrambling for alternatives. Industry experts warn that the reduced capacity could drive up fares on competing airlines, particularly during peak travel seasons.
According to The Hindu, aviation regulators had urged Air India to conduct an “immediate safety audit” after the crash of Flight AI-127 in May, which killed 12 people. Investigators are still probing the cause, but preliminary reports suggest possible maintenance lapses.
Passengers have expressed outrage over the lack of communication from the airline. “They cancelled my flight to Sydney with no warning, and now I’m stuck in Delhi for three days,” said traveller Rohit Menon. “No one at Air India is giving clear answers.”
The cuts will primarily affect routes to Europe, Australia, and Southeast Asia, with services to Frankfurt, Melbourne, and Singapore reduced by nearly 40%. Aviation analysts warn that the disruptions could further damage Air India’s reputation as it competes with rivals like Emirates and Singapore Airlines.
The airline has not specified when normal operations will resume, leaving thousands of travellers in limbo. For now, affected customers are being offered rebookings or refunds—though many say the process has been anything but smooth.
