Air India, owned by the Tata Group, is facing challenges with its fleet once again. The airline recently announced the cancellation of approximately 60 flights between India and the United States for the months of November and December. This decision was made due to maintenance issues with wide-body aircraft and supply chain constraints.
The cancelled flights will impact travel to and from major US cities such as New York, Newark, Washington, San Francisco, and Chicago, as well as cities in India like Mumbai, Delhi, and Bangalore. This comes at a time when many people travel between the two countries during the Christmas holiday season.
An Air India spokesperson explained that the delayed return of some aircraft from heavy maintenance and supply chain constraints have led to a temporary reduction in the operating fleet. Affected customers have been notified and offered alternative flights on other Air India group services, a free date change, or a full refund. Air India expressed regret for any inconvenience caused by these circumstances beyond their control.
The reduction in the number of flights between India and the US may also have an impact on airfares as the peak travel season approaches. Currently, Air India operates with 28 narrow-body and wide-body aircraft for passenger and cargo services. The airline has plans to replace its aging fleet with new aircraft from Airbus and Boeing. This includes an order for 20 A350-900s and 20 A350-1000s from Airbus, as well as 20 Boeing 787 Dreamliners and 10 Boeing 777X aircraft.
In addition to international routes, Air India has also been making changes to some domestic flights for operational reasons. The airline is hopeful that once the new aircraft are inducted and the fleet strength improves, there will be a turnaround in operations. However, this is not expected to happen until 2025.
The airline is working to ensure that affected customers are accommodated and inconveniences are minimized during this challenging period. Air India remains committed to providing safe and reliable services to passengers and is taking steps to address the current fleet issues. Travelers are advised to stay updated on any changes to their flights and to contact the airline for assistance as needed.
