On June 17, 2025, Air India announced the cancellation of several major international flights following the tragic plane crash in Ahmedabad that killed 241 passengers and crew. These cancellations come as part of safety checks and operational restrictions imposed by the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA).
The Ahmedabad to London Gatwick flight (AI-159) was cancelled because the aircraft was unavailable. The airline said the cancellation wasn’t due to any technical problem but was linked to airspace restrictions and extra safety inspections. This also caused the London Gatwick to Amritsar flight (AI-170) scheduled the same day to be cancelled, affecting many travelers between the UK and northern India.
Air India’s Delhi to Paris flight (AI-143) was cancelled after pre-flight checks found a hydraulic issue. Since Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport restricts night operations, the flight couldn’t be delayed and had to be called off. The return flight from Paris to Delhi (AI-142) on June 18 was also cancelled. The airline is helping affected passengers with alternative flights and hotel stays.
On June 17, Air India also cancelled the Delhi to Dubai flight (AI-915), marking the sixth Boeing 787 Dreamliner flight grounded that day as the airline carries out thorough safety checks after the crash. Though not yet officially confirmed, media reports say the plane showed technical problems during pre-flight inspection. Similarly, the Delhi to Vienna flight (AI-153) is believed to have been cancelled, likely for the same precautionary reasons.
Other cancellations on June 17 include flights from Bengaluru to London and Mumbai to San Francisco. The Mumbai-San Francisco flight was stopped midway at Kolkata because of a suspected technical fault, forcing passengers to disembark and causing airport delays. The Bengaluru to London flight was cancelled too, likely due to ongoing technical and logistical challenges with Air India’s Boeing 787 fleet.
Air India is offering full refunds to all passengers affected by these cancellations. Travelers can request refunds on the airline’s official website under “Manage Booking” or by contacting reservation offices. Refunds will be credited back to the original payment method, and the airline has waived all cancellation fees due to the exceptional situation. Passengers who booked through travel agents or third parties are advised to contact their agents directly for refund help. Flexible rebooking and one-time fee waivers are also being provided to ease passenger inconvenience.
