Air India Grounds Flight After Bird Strike Amid Mounting Safety Concerns

Another Blow to Air India’s Operations: Bird Strike Disrupts Delhi–Pune Service

On June 20, 2025, Air India flight AI2470 from Delhi to Pune suffered a bird strike upon landing, further complicating the airline’s week marred by technical issues and an earlier fatal crash. Though the aircraft landed safely, the return leg to Delhi was cancelled as a precaution.

Engineering teams immediately began extensive inspections, and Air India confirmed the cancellation in an official statement, prioritising passenger safety.

Passenger Support Measures Rolled Out

Despite the disruption, the airline swiftly arranged accommodations and offered full refunds or free rebooking options for affected travellers. These steps were taken to mitigate passenger inconvenience and uphold service accountability during ongoing scrutiny.

A Week of Disruptions Across Routes

This bird strike wasn’t an isolated issue. On June 19, Flight AI388 from Delhi to Ho Chi Minh City returned midair due to technical concerns. One day earlier, AI2145 en route to Bali had to divert back to Delhi following a volcanic eruption near its destination airport.

Combined with the devastating crash of AI171 in Ahmedabad on June 12—claiming 241 lives and triggering global attention—Air India is grappling with one of its most challenging operational phases in recent history.

Route Reductions and Capacity Cuts Announced

In response to cascading disruptions, Air India has announced temporary reductions to its international schedule. From June 21 to July 15, the airline will:

• Cancel 38 international flights weekly

• Suspend 3 overseas routes

• Reduce wide-body aircraft operations by 15%

These adjustments aim to ease operational pressure and allow teams to focus on core routes and safety standards.

Safety Focus Amid Rising Pressure

While these moves indicate proactive damage control, public trust remains fragile. The airline has emphasized that its primary focus is now on system audits, engineering review, and stabilizing its flight network.

Leadership has committed to transparent communication with passengers, airlines, and travel partners as efforts continue to reinforce fleet readiness.

Final Takeaway for B2B Travel Professionals

For B2B travel agents and consolidators, these updates are critical when advising clients. Temporary disruptions and route suspensions must be factored into itinerary planning. Clients should be informed about flexible rebooking policies and expected delays until mid-July.

As the airline retools for safety and operational consistency, travel professionals must stay closely aligned with updates to manage expectations effectively.

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