Air India Cancels Multiple International Flights Amid Safety Checks and Operational Restrictions

New Delhi – Air India has announced the cancellation of several international flights on Tuesday following routine pre-flight checks and operational constraints. The latest in the string of cancellations is Flight AI 143 from Delhi to Paris, grounded after mandatory pre-flight checks identified an issue that is currently being addressed.

As a result, the return leg Flight AI 142 from Paris to Delhi on June 18 has also been cancelled. In an official statement, Air India explained, “In view of the flight coming under the restrictions on night operations at Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) airport, the said flight has been cancelled. We regret the inconvenience caused to our passengers and are making alternative arrangements to fly them to their destination at the earliest.”

The airline further confirmed that affected passengers are being offered hotel accommodation, full refunds, or free rescheduling, based on their preference.

Earlier in the day, another international service, Flight AI-159 – a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner operating from Ahmedabad to London-Gatwick, was also cancelled. This decision was attributed to airspace restrictions and additional precautionary checks, which resulted in longer-than-usual aircraft turnaround times. Air India clarified that the cancellation was not due to any technical snag, countering earlier speculation.

The cancellation of AI-159 caused disruption at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, leaving many international passengers stranded and distressed. Tensions were already high following last week’s tragic crash of Flight AI-171, which claimed 270 lives, including 241 passengers and crew and others on the ground. This marked the second cancellation on the Ahmedabad–London route within four days.

In response to the tragedy, Air India has retired the flight number AI-171, replacing it with AI-159 as part of a symbolic reset.

In another incident on Tuesday morning, an Air India flight from San Francisco to Mumbai via Kolkata was halted at Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport in Kolkata after a technical snag was detected in one of its engines. Passengers were disembarked safely.

The string of incidents has prompted the Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to summon an urgent virtual meeting with senior officials from Air India and Air India Express to discuss operational safety and review protocols.