TTU: Air India cancelled its Ahmedabad-London flight on Tuesday. The flight, AI 159, was supposed to leave for London Gatwick at 1:10 PM. The airline said the cancellation was due to aircraft unavailability. It explained that airspace restrictions and added safety checks delayed aircraft turnaround time. Air India confirmed there was no technical fault.
Ahmedabad-London Flight Cancelled Amid Safety Measures
The decision to cancel the Ahmedabad-London flight comes days after another serious incident. On June 12, Air India flight AI 171 crashed shortly after takeoff. The aircraft was a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner. It was flying the same sector—Ahmedabad to London Gatwick.
The crash caused a massive fireball. It hit nearby buildings, including a hostel. Only one person onboard survived. The crash killed 241 passengers and crew. At least 33 people on the ground also lost their lives.
In response, Air India retired the flight number AI 171. It did this to honour those who died in the crash.
Alternate Arrangements for Stranded Passengers
Air India expressed regret for the inconvenience. The airline arranged alternate flights for passengers. It also provided hotel stays for those stranded. Passengers could choose a full refund or reschedule without extra charges.
More Boeing 787 Flights Affected
After the AI 171 crash, other Dreamliner flights were affected. Three Boeing 787 aircraft—operated by Air India, British Airways, and Lufthansa—were forced to turn back. One was Air India’s flight AI-315 from Hong Kong to Delhi. It returned 15 minutes after takeoff. Air India said it had a technical issue but shared no further details.
The other flights were from Frankfurt to Hyderabad and from London to Chennai.
Other Technical Issues Reported
Early on Tuesday, another Air India flight faced issues. It was flying from San Francisco to Mumbai via Kolkata. During its stop at Kolkata’s Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Airport, a problem was found in the left engine. All passengers were safely deboarded.
Crash Investigation Underway
Flight and voice recorders from the AI 171 crash site have been recovered. Authorities are analysing the data. The government has formed a high-level committee. This panel will review the crash and recommend safety measures to avoid future accidents.
