• Air India reduces international flights on widebody aircraft by 15%.
• This decision follows a recent crash involving a Boeing 787, killing 246 people.
• Enhanced safety checks on Dreamliners and other aircraft are underway.
• Geopolitical tensions in the Middle East have also impacted operations.
• Passengers can reschedule flights or receive full refunds.

Air India has announced a 15% reduction in its international widebody aircraft operations, which will take effect from June 20 and last at least until mid-July. This measure is primarily a response to the aftermath of a deadly crash on June 12 that killed 246 people shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad. The airline explained that this adjustment in service aims to facilitate enhanced safety inspections and improve operational stability given various external pressures, including geopolitical conflicts in the Middle East, which have disrupted air traffic flows, according to India Times, ABC News, and Business Insider.

The decision to suspend these flights follows significant operational challenges, including weather disturbances and regulatory restrictions. Since the June 12 incident involving a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, Air India has faced over 83 flight cancellations, primarily affecting international routes to London and Paris. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has mandated precautionary inspections on all Dreamliner aircraft, with reports indicating that 24 out of 33 have already been cleared for flight, and additional checks on the Boeing 777 fleet are also in progress, according to India Times and ABC News.

Air India has stated that the curtailments are essential to enhance operational efficiency and minimize passenger inconvenience. Passengers affected by these changes will have the opportunity to either reschedule their flights without incurring additional costs or receive full refunds. This decision comes amidst a backdrop of increased cancellations linked to safety inspections and geopolitical issues, particularly tightening airspace restrictions amid ongoing conflicts, as discussed by India Times and Business Insider.