Air India Implements Safety Measures Following AI 171 Crash

In response to the tragic crash of flight AI 171, Air India has announced a 15% reduction in its international services involving wide-body aircraft. This decision aims to enhance operational stability and minimize passenger inconvenience. The airline is also conducting thorough safety inspections on its Boeing fleet and has expressed condolences to the affected families. With 83 cancellations reported in recent days, Air India is offering affected passengers options for rescheduling or refunds. The revised international service schedule will be shared soon, reflecting the airline's commitment to safety and efficiency.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jun 19, 2025, 10:37 IST

Air India Responds to Flight AI 171 Incident

On Wednesday night, Air India took significant steps in response to the unfortunate crash of its flight AI 171, which was en route to Ahmedabad. The airline announced a reduction in its international operations involving wide-body aircraft as part of its safety measures. In a statement on X, Air India mentioned, “In light of the challenges currently faced, we aim to stabilize our operations, enhance efficiency, and reduce passenger inconvenience. Therefore, we will be cutting our international services on wide-body aircraft by 15% for the upcoming weeks.”

The adjustments are set to take effect from June 18 to 20 and will extend until mid-July 2025. This decision aims to manage any unforeseen disruptions and lessen the impact on travelers.

Regarding the investigation into the AI 171 crash, Air India stated, “Authorities are diligently working to determine the cause of the accident. The DGCA has mandated an ‘Enhanced Safety Inspection’ for our Boeing 787-8/9 fleet. Out of 33 aircraft, inspections on 26 have been completed and cleared for service, while the remaining inspections will be finalized soon.”

The official communication further emphasized, “The clearance of 26 aircraft reinforces our commitment to safety protocols. As an additional precaution, we will also conduct enhanced safety checks on our Boeing 777 fleet. We will continue to collaborate with relevant authorities, including AAIB, DGCA, and MoCA, to prioritize the safety of our passengers, crew, and aircraft.”

The airline expressed its condolences to the families affected by the tragedy and pledged support for them during their hospital visits and while returning home with the deceased's remains.

In an update regarding the temporary reduction in routes, Air India noted, “Our international operations have faced disruptions over the past six days, resulting in 83 cancellations.” The airline has offered affected passengers the option to reschedule their flights at no extra charge or receive a full refund. Furthermore, the revised schedule for international services, effective from June 20, will be announced soon.