Air India Slashes Select Int'l Flights From Bengaluru Amid Safety Review After Crash: Check Schedule

Following a fatal crash in Ahmedabad, Air India is implementing a "safety pause," impacting international routes.

Air India will reduce its Bengaluru–London Heathrow service from seven to four weekly flights starting August 1, as part of a broader safety-driven overhaul of its international operations in the wake of the AI171 crash in Ahmedabad last month.

Air India Announces 'Safety Pause'

The national carrier announced a phased restoration plan following a self-imposed “safety pause” that was initiated after flight AI171, a Boeing 787, tragically crashed on June 12, killing all 260 people on board. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) in its preliminary report revealed that both engine fuel switches had been mistakenly turned to the “cutoff” position moments after takeoff, resulting in a catastrophic loss of thrust.

Air India has announced that its temporary “Safety Pause,” was used to carry out additional precautionary inspections across its Boeing 787 fleet. The pause also provided room for schedule adjustments to accommodate extended flight times due to continued airspace restrictions over Pakistan and parts of the Middle East.

The airline will begin a phased restoration of international services from August 1, with plans to fully resume pre-pause operations by October 1, 2025.

During this transition period, select flights originally scheduled between August 1 and September 30 will be removed from the roster. Air India is actively contacting affected passengers to provide rebooking options or full refunds, depending on individual preferences.

Bengaluru Flight Modifications 

As a result, Air India is cautiously modifying its flight schedule while internal safety reviews and regulatory checks continue. Among key route changes:

Bengaluru–London Heathrow: Reduced to four weekly flights

Bengaluru–Singapore: Remains fully suspended through September 30

The airline has assured that despite these route-level changes, it will still operate over 525 international flights weekly across 63 global destinations, aiming to maintain essential connectivity during the gradual recovery phase. A full schedule is expected to be reinstated by October 1.