Mumbai: Air India is set to gradually restore its international wide-body flight schedule from August 1, 2025, after implementing a voluntary “safety pause” in the wake of the tragic Ahmedabad–London Gatwick air crash. The airline, owned by the Tata Group, aims for a complete return to its pre-pause operations by October 1, 2025, signalling a cautious yet confident step forward.
The “safety pause” was a precautionary measure initiated following the fatal Boeing 787 Dreamliner accident on June 12 that claimed 260 lives. A preliminary investigation report indicated that both engine fuel control switches had moved from ‘RUN’ to ‘CUTOFF’ shortly after takeoff, an event believed to have triggered the crash. Importantly, the report did not attribute fault to Air India or issue broader advisories for other Boeing 787 operators.
In adherence to directives from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), Air India undertook comprehensive safety inspections of its Dreamliner fleet. These voluntary checks, coupled with the initial 15% cut in international wide-body operations announced on June 18 due to airspace restrictions over Pakistan and West Asia, and curfews at various international hubs, had significantly impacted the airline’s global network, leading to numerous delays and cancellations.
In an official statement released on Tuesday, Air India affirmed that the “safety pause allowed Air India to conduct additional precautionary inspections on its Boeing 787 fleet and adjust for longer flight durations caused by airspace closures.” This proactive approach underscores the airline’s commitment to passenger safety and operational integrity.
As part of the phased resumption, several key routes will see changes. The Ahmedabad–London Gatwick service stands discontinued, replaced by a thrice-weekly Ahmedabad–London Heathrow flight. The popular Delhi–London Heathrow route will revert to its full 24 weekly flights, while Delhi–Zurich is set to resume with five weekly flights. Connectivity to the Far East will also improve, with Delhi–Tokyo Haneda and Delhi–Seoul restoring to seven and five weekly flights, respectively. The Delhi–Nairobi service will operate thrice-weekly until the end of August, with a temporary suspension planned for September.
However, some frequency reductions will remain in effect until September 30. This includes Delhi–Paris, cut to seven from 12 weekly flights, and Delhi–Milan, reduced to three from four weekly flights. Similarly, the crucial Delhi & Mumbai–New York (JFK) routes will each be scaled back to six weekly flights, and Delhi–Newark will see four weekly flights. Temporary suspensions are also confirmed for Goa (Mopa)–London Gatwick, Bengaluru–Singapore, and Pune–Singapore.
Air India has clarified that affected flights originally scheduled between August 1 and September 30, 2025, are being removed from their system in line with this gradual operational restart. The airline is actively contacting all impacted passengers to offer rebooking options on alternative flights or full refund alternatives. “We sincerely apologise for the inconvenience and appreciate the continued support of our passengers as we prioritise safety,” the airline conveyed in its statement, emphasizing its dedication to a secure and reliable return to full international service.
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