The Directorate General of Civil Aviation said on Tuesday that Air India cancelled 83 wide-body flights between June 12 and June 17. Of these, 66 were operated by Boeing 787 aircraft. The cancellations come as the airline faces heightened scrutiny following a recent fatal crash and a series of disruptions.
The cancellations come amid increased scrutiny of Air India's operations following a recent fatal crash involving a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner in Ahmedabad. In response, the DGCA launched a detailed review of safety and operational procedures for both Air India and Air India Express.
The DGCA reportedly said it is closely examining the airlines’ technical operations, safety protocols, and flight schedules to ensure there is no compromise on passenger safety.
Air India operates several wide-body aircraft, primarily on international routes. The Boeing 787 Dreamliner plays a key role in the airline's long-haul operations. Following the recent crash, concerns over safety have risen among passengers. As a result, the DGCA began intensive inspections and monitoring of Air India’s Dreamliner fleet.
In an official statement on Tuesday, the DGCA said no major safety risks were found during inspections of the Boeing 787 aircraft. All systems related to aircraft and maintenance were found to be in line with current safety standards, according to the reports.
According to the reports, one of the main reasons behind the cancellations is the closure of Iranian airspace. The ongoing tensions between Iran and Israel have forced several airlines to change their flight paths. This has resulted in longer routes, increased fuel consumption, and delays.