New Delhi, August 7 - Air India, under the leadership of CEO Campbell Wilson, has announced the full resumption of its international flight operations by October 1, 2025, following a temporary suspension triggered by the tragic crash of flight AI171 in Ahmedabad on June 12, 2025. The Tata Group-owned airline, which had reduced its international widebody flights by 15% in June to prioritize safety and stabilize operations, began a phased restoration of services on August 1, 2025. Wilson, a seasoned aviation executive with over 26 years of experience, emphasized that this gradual approach ensures thorough verification of all safety protocols, allowing the airline to resume full operations with unwavering confidence in its safety and reliability standards.
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The Ahmedabad incident, involving a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner and marking Air India’s first wide-body crash since 1978, prompted the airline to implement a voluntary “Safety Pause.” This involved a temporary reduction in flight schedules to facilitate intensified pre-flight inspections and address disruptions caused by regional airspace closures over Pakistan and the Middle East. During this period, Air India conducted exhaustive inspections of its Boeing 787-8 and 787-9 aircraft under the oversight of India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). No issues were identified, and additional checks on the fuel control switch mechanisms of Boeing 737 and 787-8 aircraft, conducted in collaboration with other international carriers, also showed no irregularities. Wilson assured passengers that the airline’s multi-layered safety protocols, which include rigorous pre-flight checks by trained engineers and pilots, real-time monitoring through the Integrated Operations Control Centre, and ongoing crew training at the Air India Training Academy, align with global standards set by the DGCA and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
In a detailed communication to Maharaja Club members, Wilson acknowledged recent operational challenges, such as flight cancellations and delays, including a Delhi-Milan flight grounded due to a technical issue with a Boeing 787 Dreamliner. He emphasized the airline’s commitment to strengthening internal processes to minimize such disruptions, stating, “We take this seriously and are working diligently to improve the travel experience.” Air India’s Safety Management System complies with DGCA and ICAO regulations, with annual DGCA audits and biannual IATA Operational Safety Audits confirming its adherence to industry standards. Since its privatization in 2022, Air India has partnered with Oliver Wyman/CAVOK for a comprehensive safety review and with Boeing for an Operational Efficacy Program to modernize operations. The airline also used the downtime during the “Safety Pause” to accelerate aircraft reliability upgrades and advance its fleet retrofit program, aimed at enhancing the in-flight experience with updated cabins and modern amenities. The phased resumption has already restored several key routes to their pre-incident frequencies. The Delhi–London Heathrow route returned to 24 weekly flights on July 16, 2025, while Delhi–Zurich will increase to five weekly flights from August 1.
Daily operations on Delhi–Tokyo Haneda resumed on August 1, and Delhi–Seoul Incheon will operate five times a week from September 1. Delhi–Amsterdam will return to daily flights from August 1, though routes to Birmingham, Paris, Milan, Copenhagen, and Vienna will maintain reduced frequencies until the full resumption in October. Passengers affected by the reduced schedules were offered rebooking at no additional cost or full refunds, reflecting Air India’s focus on customer care. Wilson, who assumed the role of CEO in July 2022 after leading Singapore Airlines’ low-cost subsidiary Scoot, has been steering Air India through a transformative period since its privatization. His experience in building airline brands in Asia has been instrumental in navigating the challenges following the Ahmedabad crash. The full resumption of international flights by October 1, 2025, coincides with the busy festive travel season, positioning Air India to meet rising demand while reinforcing its commitment to safety and operational excellence. As the airline continues its fleet modernization and safety enhancements, it aims to restore passenger trust and solidify its position as a leading global carrier.