Air India is all set to partially restore its international flight schedule. The airline had significantly curtailed operations following the tragic crash of its London-bound flight on June 12. As part of the restoration, the airline will restart its thrice-weekly service from Ahmedabad to London. On the other hand, the Bengaluru-London route will see major reductions. Here’s more on it.
Air India Begins Partial Restoration Of International Flights
After the tragic Air India crash on June 12, which killed over 250 people, the airline scaled down its international flight operations. It cited safety checks on the Boeing 787 aircraft involved in the incident, along with further disruption due to the closure of airspace in the Middle East. Now, as per a report by Moneycontrol, Air India will begin restoring some of these flights from August 1. Moreover, the airline also plans to fully restore all international services by October 1.
In a statement released on Tuesday, Air India confirmed it will resume thrice-weekly flights between Ahmedabad and London’s Heathrow from August 1 to September 30. This new schedule will replace the current 5 times a week service between Ahmedabad and London’s Gatwick. A phase-wise restoration of all international routes is also in the works.
Also Read: Why Is Air India Curtailing 15% Of Its International Flights Operated By Wide-Body Aircraft?
Updated International Flight Schedule
As per Moneycontrol, Air India has now shared an updated international flight schedule. Many of these flights will follow the new schedules until further notice.
Europe
- Ahmedabad-London (Heathrow): The airline will operate 3x weekly flights from August 1, replacing the 5x weekly flights to London Gatwick.
- Delhi-London (Heathrow): Air India will operate 24x weekly flights from July 16.
- Delhi-Zurich: Increased from 4x to 5x weekly, effective from 1 August.
Far East
- Delhi-Tokyo (Haneda): 2 weekly flights reinstated, with all 7x weekly flights to resume from August 1.
Delhi-Seoul (Incheon): 2 weekly flights reinstated, with all 5x weekly flights to resume from September 1.
Routes with Continued Reductions:
Europe
- Bengaluru-London (Heathrow): Reduced from 7x to 6x weekly.
- Amritsar-Birmingham: Reduced from 3x to 2x weekly.
- Delhi-Paris: Cut from 12x to 7x weekly.
- Delhi-Milan: Cut from 4x to 3x weekly.
- Delhi-Amsterdam: Reduced from 7x to 5x weekly.
- Delhi-Copenhagen: Reduced from 5x to 3x weekly.
North America
- Delhi-Washington: Remains reduced from 5x to 3x weekly
- Delhi-San Francisco: Remains reduced from 10x to 7x weekly
- Delhi-Toronto: Remains reduced from 13x to 7x weekly
- Delhi-New York (JFK): Cut from 7x to 6x weekly
- Delhi-Melbourne: Remains reduced from 7x to 5x weekly
- Delhi-Sydney: Remains reduced from 7x to 5x weekly
Bengaluru To London Flights Curtailed Due To Ongoing Safety Checks
As per a report by Hindustan Times, Air India has also grounded Bengaluru-London flights from 7 to 4 times per week starting August 1. The airline said this is due to ongoing safety checks and precautionary steps.
This reduction is part of a bigger overhaul of Air India’s international flight schedule. After grounding a large number of its Boeing 787 fleet and facing airspace restrictions, the airline has cut many long-haul routes. While Delhi will soon see a full return of services, Bengaluru is set to face major curtailments.
Air India has said that passengers impacted by these changes can opt for rebooking or receive a full refund.
Cover Image Courtesy: Air India, Wikipedia/
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