Air India on track to fully resume international flights by October 1

Dubai: Air India announced it is on track to fully resume its international flight operations by October 1, following a phased return of several routes earlier this week. The airline had temporarily suspended multiple overseas services after the fatal crash of flight AI171 in Ahmedabad on June 12.

The suspension was part of a self-imposed “Safety Pause” that allowed the airline to carry out additional checks on its Boeing 787 fleet. Air India also faced longer flight durations due to ongoing airspace closures over Pakistan and parts of the Middle East.

The decision to resume services gradually was aimed at ensuring safety and operational stability, according to Air India. “This measured approach ensures we complete every verification thoroughly and resume service with complete confidence,” CEO Campbell Wilson told The Economic Times on Wednesday.

Wilson also acknowledged recent operational disruptions and their impact on passengers. “I acknowledge that there have been some operational challenges over the last few weeks that may have impacted your travel experience,” he said. “We take this seriously and are committed to strengthening our internal processes to minimise the inconvenience such circumstances cause.”

The full resumption of international services is expected to help stabilise Air India’s flight schedules and restore key long-haul routes ahead of the peak travel season.