Passengers to Be Rebooked Soon, Says Airline; Full Refund or Free Rescheduling Also Offered
Air India has cancelled a total of eight flights, including four international and four domestic services, on Friday, 20th June, citing “enhanced maintenance and operational reasons.” The airline issued a statement confirming the cancellations and assured that alternative arrangements are being made for affected passengers to reach their destinations as early as possible.
As per the statement, Air India is working on rebooking passengers and has also provided options for a full refund or free rescheduling, depending on the passengers’ preferences.
✈️ International Flights Cancelled:
- AI906 – Dubai to Chennai
- AI308 – Delhi to Melbourne
- AI309 – Melbourne to Delhi
- AI2204 – Dubai to Hyderabad
🛫 Domestic Flights Cancelled:
- AI874 – Pune to Delhi
- AI456 – Ahmedabad to Delhi
- AI2872 – Hyderabad to Mumbai
- AI571 – Chennai to Mumbai
Passengers who were booked on these flights have been advised to check their flight status through the official Air India website or contact the airline’s customer care for further support.
Why Were Flights Cancelled?
The cancellations come amid increased maintenance checks ordered by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) following a tragic crash involving an Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner. The aircraft was operating a flight between Ahmedabad and London Gatwick and crashed shortly after takeoff, resulting in the deaths of 241 out of 242 people on board, along with several casualties on the ground. The incident has deeply shocked the aviation sector and passengers across the country.
After the crash, the DGCA instructed Air India to conduct additional safety inspections on all of its 33 Boeing 787s, which are now undergoing maintenance checks. This step is a part of precautionary measures to ensure the safety and airworthiness of the aircraft fleet.
What’s Next for Travellers?
Air India has assured that all affected travellers will be re-accommodated on other flights or will be refunded in full if they choose not to travel. Alternatively, free rescheduling is being offered for those who prefer to change their travel dates. The airline is also expected to update passengers via SMS, email and app notifications.
Travellers are encouraged to keep an eye on the Air India flight schedule for real-time updates.
Schedule Changes Announced for Upcoming Weeks
On Thursday, the Tata-owned airline announced a curtailment plan that will affect both international and domestic services. The plan includes:
- Suspension of services on three international routes
- Reduction in flight frequency on 18 major routes, including:
- Five routes to North America
- Nine routes to Europe
- Two each to Australia and East Asia
These changes will be in effect from June 21 and are expected to continue at least till July 15, depending on the outcome of ongoing maintenance inspections and aircraft availability.
Passengers Urged to Stay Updated
Air India has requested all travellers to check for updates before leaving for the airport, especially during the coming weeks, as more schedule changes may be announced depending on operational conditions.
For more information and assistance, passengers can visit the Air India help centre or call the 24×7 customer care numbers available on their website.
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