Air India Cancels Delhi-Paris and Ahmedabad-London Flights Due to Technical Issues; Passengers Offered Hotel Accommodations, Full Refunds, and Free Rescheduling.
Delhi: Air India's international operations have been disrupted once again. Flight AI 143, scheduled to depart from Delhi to Paris on June 17, 2025, was canceled at the last minute. This directly impacted the return flight, AI 142, from Paris to Delhi on June 18, 2025, which was also canceled. The airline cited technical difficulties as the primary reason and apologized for the inconvenience caused to passengers.
Technical Issues Discovered During Mandatory Inspection
An official statement released by Air India explained that the problem was detected during mandatory pre-flight safety and technical checks. The technical team immediately launched an investigation, but the issue could not be resolved in time, resulting in the flight cancellation.
Paris Airport's Night Flying Restrictions Exacerbate the Problem
Restrictions on night flights at Paris' Charles de Gaulle (CDG) airport further complicated the situation, making it impossible to reschedule the flight. This led Air India to make the decision to cancel the flight entirely.
Alternative Arrangements and Full Refunds Offered to Passengers
Air India has offered passengers a full refund. Passengers wishing to reschedule their travel can do so free of charge. The airline has also assured passengers of hotel accommodations, transportation, and meals.
London-bound Flight AI 159 Also Cancelled
In addition to the Delhi-Paris flight, Air India's Ahmedabad-London flight, AI 159, was also canceled due to technical reasons. This flight was scheduled to depart from Ahmedabad at 1:10 PM on June 17. The aircraft was unable to take off due to the technical malfunction.
Increased Precautions Following AI 171 Accident
It is noteworthy that a serious accident involving Air India flight AI 171 occurred last week, resulting in the loss of 274 lives. Following this, the airline has implemented heightened safety measures. AI 159 was deployed to replace AI 171 on this route but has now also been grounded.
Questions Raised About Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner
According to Flightradar24 data, Boeing 787-8 Dreamliners were used on the Delhi-Paris and Ahmedabad-London routes. This is the same model involved in the recent accident, leading to increased scrutiny of the aircraft's technical inspection and maintenance procedures.
London Gatwick to Amritsar Flight Also Cancelled
In addition to these two flights, another international flight from London Gatwick to Amritsar has been canceled. However, the airline has not yet clarified the reason for this cancellation.
