Air India News: Air India has announced that it is going to cut its international widebody operations by 15 per cent. This reduction will be effective from the current time till mid-July. The Tata Group-owned airline is facing operational disruptions due to increased security checks and closure of Iranian airspace.
The airline has faced disruptions in international flights especially due to the ongoing security checks of B787-8/9 aircraft after a Boeing 787-8 aircraft crashed on June 12 while heading to London Gatwick shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad.
The airline has apologised for the inconvenience caused to passengers affected by the temporary curtailment of overseas flights. In addition, the airline will enhance security checks for Boeing 777 aircraft as an additional precaution. Air India has faced operational disruptions recently. At least 83 of its international flights have been cancelled in the last six days.
In a statement issued late Wednesday evening, Air India said that geopolitical tensions in West Asia, night curfews in the airspace of many countries in Europe and East Asia have caused disruptions. The airline said that security checks are being increased. The statement said that necessary precautions are being taken by the engineering staff and Air India pilots.
According to the statement, “In view of the complex situation faced by Air India, in order to ensure stability of our operations, improved efficiency and to minimise inconvenience to passengers, Air India has decided to reduce its international wide aircraft services by 15 per cent for the next few weeks.”
Details about the number of flights affected were not immediately known. The airline was scheduled to operate 90 flights with widebody aircraft on June 12. Air India operates three widebody aircraft – Boeing 787-8/9, Boeing 777 and A350. According to the airline, the cuts will be implemented now and from June 20. They will then continue till at least mid-July.
Apologising to the passengers affected by the cuts, the airline said it will inform them in advance and try its best to accommodate them on alternate flights. Passengers will be given the option to reschedule their journey at no cost or get a full refund.
Air India’s Boeing 787-8 aircraft flying from Ahmedabad to Gatwick crashed shortly after takeoff on June 12. A total of 270 people, including 241 people on board the plane, were killed. One person on board the plane survived. Former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani was also on board this plane.
Vishwas Kumar Ramesh, a British citizen of Indian origin, survived the accident unhurt. 241 people on board the plane died, including 168 Indians, 53 British, seven Portuguese and one Canadian citizen. He was sitting in seat 11A of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner (AI171), and miraculously survived.
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