Key Points
- Air India flights from Ahmedabad to London and Delhi to Paris were cancelled on Tuesday.
- The Ahmedabad-London flight was the second affected after a deadly crash near Ahmedabad on June 12.
- Air India attributes the cancellation to aircraft unavailability and airspace restrictions, not technical faults.
- Several other Air India flights have faced technical or operational issues in the past 48 hours.
- Passengers were provided with alternative arrangements and Air India issued an apology for the disruptions.
New Delhi: Air India has cancelled two major international flights one from Ahmedabad to London and another from Delhi to Paris citing a combination of operational challenges and heightened safety protocols following a recent fatal crash. The disruptions come as the airline faces increased scrutiny and a series of technical and logistical setbacks across its network.
Ahmedabad-London Flight Cancellation Follows Recent Crash
The Air India flight AI159, which was scheduled to depart from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick, was cancelled on Tuesday. This marks the second disruption on this route in less than a week, following the tragic crash of another Ahmedabad-London flight on June 12 that claimed 241 lives.
While initial reports attributed the latest cancellation to technical issues, Air India clarified in an official statement that the real reason was the “unavailability of the aircraft.” The airline explained that airspace restrictions and additional precautionary checks have led to longer turnaround times for its fleet, making it impossible to operate the flight as scheduled.
“Flight AI159 from Ahmedabad to Gatwick has been cancelled today due to the unavailability of the aircraft, resulting from airspace restrictions and additional precautionary checks, leading to longer than usual turnaround of aircraft, and not due to any technical snag as claimed,” Air India stated.
The airline expressed regret for the inconvenience caused and assured passengers that alternative travel arrangements had been made.
Delhi-Paris Flight Also Cancelled
Similarly, Air India’s Delhi to Paris service was cancelled on Tuesday, with the airline citing technical and operational challenges. The specifics of the issue were not disclosed, but the cancellation adds to the mounting disruptions faced by the carrier in recent days.
Series of Technical and Operational Setbacks
The latest cancellations are part of a broader pattern of disruptions:
- Monday: An Air India flight was cancelled after operational delays led to the crew exceeding their permitted duty hours.
- Tuesday Morning: An Air India flight from San Francisco to Mumbai experienced a technical engine glitch during a layover in Kolkata, forcing all passengers to deplane.
- Monday: An Air India Express flight from Delhi to Ranchi was diverted back to Delhi shortly after takeoff due to a suspected technical issue.
- Earlier: An Air India flight returned to Hong Kong soon after departure because of a midair technical fault.
Heightened Safety Measures and Passenger Impact
Following the deadly crash near Ahmedabad, Air India has implemented more stringent safety and maintenance checks across its fleet. These measures, combined with airspace restrictions, have contributed to longer aircraft turnaround times and increased the likelihood of delays and cancellations.
The airline has apologized to affected passengers and is working to minimize further disruptions by arranging alternative flights and providing support.
Air India’s international operations have been significantly affected by a combination of technical problems, operational delays, and heightened safety checks after a recent crash. The airline is under pressure to restore reliability and reassure passengers as it navigates an unprecedented wave of disruptions.
