Air India Cancels Select Dreamliner Flights Amid Boeing 787 Safety Review

Air India, which faced a fatal crash last week of a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner aircraft, and is currently under enhanced scrutiny for the Dreamliner fleet with the instructions of the Indian regulator, the DGCA, has seen a spate of cancellations today for flights operating with the aircraft.

Air India cancels 787 operated flights due to enhanced checks

A combination of the closure of the Middle-Eastern Airspace, non-availability of a few 787 airframes which are away for heavy checks, and the one-time examination, along with European restrictions on night time operations has caused Air India to cancel many flights operated by the Boeing 787-8 fleet.

Air India operates a fleet of 26 Boeing 787-8 aircraft, which are workhorses for its medium- and long-haul international network. These aircraft typically operate routes to Europe, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and occasionally on dense domestic sectors.

Here are the flights that have been cancelled on June 17, 2025.

1. AI915 (Delhi-Dubai)
2. AI153 (Delhi-Vienna)
3. AI143 (Delhi-Paris)
4. AI159 (Ahmedabad – London Gatwick)
5. AI133 (Bengaluru – London Heathrow)
6. AI170 (London Gatwick – Amritsar)

Here are the flights that have been cancelled on June 18, 2025.

1. AI152 (Zurich – Delhi)
2. AI 169 (Amritsar – London Gatwick)
3. AI 308 (Delhi – Melbourne)

Obviously, the return flights will also be cancelled where the flights won’t operate.

Air India did not offer a comprehensive statement, but flight specific statements. Here is the statement for AI 159, which is the new flight number for Air India’s Ahmedabad to London Gatwick operations.

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.

We regret the inconvenience caused to our passengers and have made alternative arrangements to fly them to their destination. We are providing hotel accommodation and also offering full refunds on cancellations or complimentary rescheduling if opted by the passengers. Consequently, flight AI170 from London Gatwick to Amritsar of 17 June stands cancelled.

Here is the statement issued for AI143, the flight operated between Delhi and Paris CDG.

Flight AI143 from Delhi to Paris of 17 June has been cancelled. The mandatory pre-flight checks identified an issue which is being presently addressed. However, 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. We are providing hotel accommodation and also offering full refunds on cancellations or complimentary rescheduling if opted by the passengers. Consequently, flight AI142 from Paris to Delhi on June 17, 2025 also stands cancelled.

DGCA gives all clear to the fleet inspections so far

In a press statement issued by the DGCA, India’s regulator for aviation, they said,

The recent surveillance conducted on Air India’s Boeing 787 fleet did not reveal any major safety concerns. The aircraft and associated maintenance systems were found to be compliant with existing safety standards.

It also further said,

The “Enhances Safety Inspection” mandated under Order Para 1 is applicable to the entire Air India B787-8/9 fleet, comprising 33 aircraft. Of these, 4 aircraft are currently undergoing major checks at various MRO facilities. As of 1500 hrs on 17 June 2025, a total of 24 aircraft have successfully completed the required check. An additional 2 aircraft are planned for completion today, with 1 more scheduled for tomorrow. The remaining 6 aircraft include 2 aircraft (VT-ANG and VT-ANT), which are presently AOG at Delhi. The checks on these two will be carried out post-declaration of serviceability and prior to their return to service. The remaining 4 aircraft currently under MRO will undergo the mandated check prior to their release from the respective maintenance hangars.

Bottomline

Due to a multitude of factors, not just limited to the loss of an aircraft, but geopolitical restrictions, enhanced surveillance, and the impact of European night time operation restrictions, Air India has seen a lot of cancellations of flights of their Boeing 787-8 fleet. It will be wise to check on your flight operations if booked on the Air India 787 fleet in the coming days.

What do you make of the spate of cancellations on Air India 787 fleet?

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