India’s flagship carrier Air India is going through one of its toughest phases yet. The combination of heavy rains in Delhi, operational disruptions, and the recent Ahmedabad plane crash has pushed the airline into crisis mode. With more than 80 flights cancelled over the last few days, thousands of passengers have been left stranded or delayed.
Mumbai to Lucknow AI2491 Cancelled Amid Operational Chaos
On June 17, 2025, Air India AI2491 (Mumbai to Lucknow) was abruptly cancelled. The airline cited “operational reasons” for this decision, linking it to a cascading impact of flights diverted due to Delhi’s heavy rainfall.
Official Air India Statement:
“AI2491 from Mumbai to Lucknow was cancelled due to operational reasons and the cascading impact of flights which got diverted during the heavy rains in Delhi. Delayed arrival of diverted flights led to the operating crew coming under regulatory flight duty time limitations norms. Replacement crew could not be arranged immediately due to the weather-related disruptions.”
Passenger Compensation and Alternatives Offered
Air India issued an apology for the inconvenience, promising affected passengers:
- Hotel accommodation for stranded travelers
- Full refunds for those who cancelled
- Complimentary rescheduling for those who opted for alternative flights
- Efforts to arrange alternate flights to Lucknow at the earliest
Ahmedabad Crash: The Root of Air India’s Ongoing Crisis
While the rains were a temporary disruption, Air India’s real crisis began with the tragic Ahmedabad crash on June 12, 2025. Flight AI171, bound for London Gatwick, crashed shortly after takeoff, claiming over 270 lives onboard and on the ground. This has turned into Air India’s worst aviation disaster since the Tata Group took over ownership three and a half years ago.
The crash has sparked intense scrutiny from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), forcing Air India into crisis management on multiple fronts.
DGCA’s Response and Findings So Far
Following the crash, the DGCA summoned senior officials of both Air India and Air India Express for a comprehensive operational review. The regulator demanded training records of pilots and dispatchers involved in flight AI171 and emphasized the need for stronger internal coordination in operations and engineering.
DGCA’s Findings (So Far):
“Recent checks on Air India’s Boeing 787 fleet did not reveal any major safety concerns. The aircraft and associated maintenance systems were found to be in compliance with existing safety standards.”
However, the DGCA warned that maintenance-related issues previously flagged must be addressed immediately. The authority instructed the airline to strengthen coordination among its engineering, operations, and ground handling teams while ensuring availability of spare parts to avoid further delays and disruptions.
More Cancellations Follow: Seven International Flights Scrapped
Adding to the crisis, seven international Air India flights were cancelled on June 17 alone, taking the total count of cancelled flights past 80 in just one week.
- A San Francisco-Kolkata-Mumbai flight was cut short in Kolkata due to an engine snag on the Boeing 777-200.
- The Ahmedabad to London Gatwick service was cancelled due to aircraft unavailability following ongoing inspections and fleet shortages.
Air India’s Future Under Tata Group: Rebuilding Trust
When Tata Group took over Air India, hopes were high for a complete revival of the struggling carrier. However, the Ahmedabad crash has brought the airline’s biggest challenge yet. Beyond fixing operational issues, restoring passenger trust is now Air India’s top priority.
Key Areas for Immediate Action:
- Strengthening aircraft maintenance practices
- Reinforcing pilot and crew training programs
- Ensuring compliance with DGCA’s safety directives
- Improving communication with passengers regarding delays, cancellations, and compensations
[…] Air India in Trouble: AI2491 Mumbai-Lucknow Flight Cancelled Amid DGCA Crash Investigation […]