Air India will reduce frequencies on three U.S. routes from June 21 through at least July 15.
In response to ongoing safety checks and operational challenges, Air India is scheduled to adjust flight frequencies on several key routes to the United States beginning June 21. The adjustments will include:
- Delhi to San Francisco: Frequency will be cut from 10 flights per week to a daily service.
- Delhi to Chicago O’Hare: Operations will reduce to three flights weekly from a daily service.
- Delhi to Washington Dulles: Frequency will drop from five flights per week to three.
These changes are part of Air India’s efforts to ensure enhanced safety following a tragic incident on June 12, where a Boeing 787 crash in Ahmedabad took the lives of 241 passengers and crew members as well as 29 individuals on the ground.
Since that incident, India’s civil aviation authority has cleared 26 of Air India’s 33 Dreamliners through comprehensive safety checks. In a proactive move, the airline has decided to extend these thorough examinations to its fleet of Boeing 777s as well. More information about these safety procedures can be found in the report regarding Air India’s Dreamliners passing safety checks.
The safety assessments, coupled with restrictions preventing Indian carriers from overflying certain airspaces, particularly Pakistan, contributed to the cancellation of 83 international flights between June 13 and June 18. This operational disruption reflects the airline’s commitment to safety as it also aims to improve reliability.
During the period from June 21 to July 15, overall international flight operations will see a reduction of approximately 15%. The airline is committed to minimizing inconvenience for its passengers and has issued a statement offering apologies for these necessary schedule adjustments. Passengers affected by the changes will be notified in advance, with options to reschedule their travel at no additional cost or to receive a full refund.
For further insights on the carrier’s operational updates, passengers are encouraged to check Air India’s future growth plans.
