UK airports affected as Air India suspends or cuts long-haul services 

Air India is temporarily suspending two routes to Gatwick and cutting frequencies across a range of long-haul destinations.

 

The details emerged after the airline disclosed that 15% of international widebody flights were being reduced until at least the middle of July in the wake of the crash of Boeing 787 flight AI171 with the loss of 241 passengers and crew.  

 

The temporary reduction in services operated by B787 and B777 aircraft will be effective from tomorrow (June 21) and last until at least July 15.

 

Routes that have been suspended include three flights a week from both Amritsar and Mopa in Goa to Gatwick.

 

Frequency is being reduced on: 

• Delhi-Heathrow from 24 to 22 flights a week
• Bengaluru-Heathrow from seven to six flights a week
• Amritsar-Birmingham and Delhi-Birmingham from three to two flights a week

Other network reductions cover flights between Delhi and Paris, Milan, Copenhagen, Vienna and Amsterdam.

 

Delhi services to Toronto, Vancouver, San Francisco, Chicago and Dallas have also been trimmed together with those to Melbourne, Sydney, Tokyo and Seoul.

 

The carrier has already cancelled at least 83 long-haul flights in the last six week.

 

Air India said: "The reductions arise from the decision to voluntary undertake enhanced pre-flight safety checks, as well as accommodate additional flight durations arising from airspace closures in the Middle East.

 

"The objective is to restore schedule stability and minimising last-minute inconvenience to passengers.

 

“We regret the inconvenience caused to passengers. 

 

“Our colleagues on ground are making alternative arrangements for them to fly to their respective destinations at the earliest. Full refunds on cancellation or complimentary rescheduling has been offered to passengers.

“Due to the continuing enhanced checks on our aircraft, airspace restrictions and inclement weather, we anticipate some disruptions which will be duly communicated to passengers. Passengers are requested to check the status of their flights.”