Air India Reboots Key Routes, Adds New London Service After Safety Grounding

Air India Steers Back to International Skies

Air India is rolling back into action, gradually reinstating its international flight network after a brief but significant operational pause triggered by safety concerns and geopolitical airspace hurdles earlier this year.

Following a fatal incident involving flight AI171 on June 12, 2025, the airline initiated a comprehensive “Safety Pause” to conduct thorough inspections of its Boeing 787 Dreamliner fleet. Meanwhile, partial airspace closures over Pakistan and segments of the Middle East forced many routes onto longer, less efficient flight paths, squeezing capacity and crew availability.

Now, Air India is charting a steady course back. From August 1, the carrier plans to restore numerous suspended services, aiming for full schedule normalisation by October 1, 2025—a critical timeline for B2B travel professionals planning corporate itineraries, group movements, and high-volume passenger flows.

Spotlight: Ahmedabad–London Heathrow Takes Off

A standout highlight in Air India’s restart plan is the brand-new Ahmedabad–London Heathrow service, launching August 1.

• Frequency: 3x weekly (August 1 – September 30)

• Replaces: 5x weekly Ahmedabad–London Gatwick flights

This switch boosts connectivity into Heathrow—one of the world’s premier aviation hubs—and aligns with broader adjustments across the London market as Air India calibrates its capacity during the phased recovery.

Key Routes Returning to Service

Air India has unveiled a detailed roadmap for resuming several high-demand international routes. Here’s how the recovery schedule is shaping up for key markets:

Europe

• Delhi–London Heathrow: Fully restored to 24 flights weekly since July 16.

• Delhi–Zurich: Upgraded from 4x to 5x weekly starting August 1.

Far East

• Delhi–Tokyo Haneda: Back to daily service (7x weekly) from August 1.

• Delhi–Seoul Incheon: Resuming 5x weekly from September 1.

Africa

• Delhi–Nairobi: Operating 3x weekly through August but will pause in September.

Routes Operating on Reduced Schedules

While the recovery is underway, several routes will continue on scaled-down schedules through September 30. B2B travel planners should remain vigilant when handling client bookings on these services:

Europe

• Bengaluru–London Heathrow: Drops from 6x to 4x weekly from August 1.

• Amritsar–Birmingham: Continues at 2x weekly until full 3x weekly resumes on September 1.

• Delhi–Paris: Reduced from 12x to 7x weekly starting August 1.

• Other Delhi routes to Birmingham, Milan, Copenhagen, Vienna, and Amsterdam face various reductions. Notably, Delhi–Amsterdam returns to daily service on August 1.
  
  

North America

• Delhi–Washington, Chicago, Toronto, Vancouver, San Francisco: Operating at below-normal frequencies.

• Delhi and Mumbai–New York JFK: Reduced to 6x weekly each.

• Delhi–Newark Liberty: Cut to 4x weekly.

Australia

• Delhi–Melbourne and Delhi–Sydney: Both at 5x weekly operations.
  
  

Temporarily Suspended Services

Several routes remain off the map entirely until at least September 30. Air India has confirmed proactive communication with affected passengers, offering rebooking options or full refunds:

• Amritsar–London Gatwick
  Goa (Mopa)–London Gatwick

• Bengaluru–Singapore

• Pune–Singapore
  
  

Why the Cuts Were Necessary

The operational cuts stemmed from two intertwined factors:

• Safety Checks: After the tragic AI171 incident, Air India performed extensive precautionary inspections on its 787 fleet, prioritising passenger safety.

• Airspace Restrictions: Ongoing geopolitical tensions closed key air corridors, notably over Pakistan and parts of the Middle East. Flights had to detour via longer routes, consuming more crew hours and aircraft time, limiting overall schedules.

While painful in the short term, these measures underscored Air India’s commitment to safety and operational integrity—an essential assurance for B2B travel professionals managing high-value clients and corporate risk assessments.

Air India’s Network by August

With its phased recovery in motion, Air India expects to operate over 525 international flights weekly across 63 routes by August. This figure is poised to grow further in October as the carrier returns to full network strength.

For travel agents, consolidators, and corporate planners, this is a critical juncture to watch. Restored connectivity opens doors to streamlined itineraries, group travel planning, and enhanced reliability as the busy autumn and winter travel seasons approach.

What Should B2B Travel Professionals Do Now?

If your clients are booked on routes affected by Air India’s ongoing adjustments:

• Stay Updated: Monitor airline notifications and schedule changes regularly.

• Proactive Communication: Check booking statuses and inform clients early to manage expectations and avoid disruptions.

• Consider Alternatives: Explore alternative routings or carriers where necessary for urgent business or group travel.
  
  

Takeaway for Industry Professionals

Air India’s cautious yet steady rebound is a positive signal for India’s outbound travel market—and for B2B professionals tasked with crafting seamless international itineraries.

While operational challenges persist through September, the resumption of key routes and the introduction of new services like Ahmedabad–London Heathrow indicate strong momentum toward full recovery. Now is the time for travel professionals to recalibrate planning strategies, manage client communication proactively, and seize new opportunities as capacity returns.

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