Air India's Dreamliner flights canceled, operations severely disrupted today

Multiple Air India international flights were cancelled. Air India said its flight from Ahmedabad to London was cancelled due to unavailability of aircraft.

Several Air India international flights – mostly Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner – were cancelled on Tuesday, days after the London-bound Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner aircraft crashed into a hostel complex shortly after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad on June 12, killing 241 passengers and crew.

Air India said on Tuesday its flight from Ahmedabad to Gatwick in London has been cancelled due to the unavailability of the aircraft, resulting from airspace restrictions and additional precautionary checks. The airline denied claims that the flight has been cancelled due to any technical snag.

Regretting the inconvenience caused to passengers, the airline said alternative arrangements have been made to fly them to their destination.

It said hotel accommodation was being provided, and refunds on cancellations or complimentary rescheduling was also being offered if opted by the passengers.

"Flight AI159 from Ahmedabad to Gatwick has been cancelled today due to the unavailability of the aircraft, resulting from airspace restrictions and additional precautionary checks, leading to longer than usual turnaround of aircraft, and not due to any technical snag as claimed," the airline said.

"We regret the inconvenience caused to our passengers and have made alternative arrangements to fly them to their destination. We are providing hotel accommodation and also offering full refunds on cancellations or complimentary rescheduling if opted by the passengers. Consequently, flight AI170 from London Gatwick to Amritsar on 17th June stands cancelled," Air India added.

Paris-bound Air India flight 143 from Delhi was also cancelled on Tuesday after pre-flight checks identified an issue, which was currently being addressed, an Air India spokesperson confirmed.

The AI143 has been cancelled because the flight is subject to restrictions on night operations at Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) airport.