Air India, India’s flagship airline, has recently made the decision to temporarily reduce its international flight operations by 15% in light of the recent tragic plane crash that occurred on June 12, which claimed at least 270 lives. This announcement comes amidst rising passenger complaints regarding flight delays and cancellations. Air India stated its aim is to “ensure stability of operations, better efficiency, and minimize inconvenience to passengers.”

The crash involved one of Air India’s aircraft shortly after its departure from Ahmedabad, bound for London’s Gatwick Airport. Receiving directions from Indian authorities to enhance its operational standards, the airline has been facing considerable backlash from travelers frustrated over routine issues, including faulty onboard devices and insufficient communication regarding delays.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation in India announced that, following technical inspections of Air India’s fleet of 33 Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft, there were no major safety concerns found but did identify maintenance-related issues. The agency has urged Air India to improve coordination within its engineering and operational sectors, as well as to enhance its systems for relaying real-time information about potential defects.

Air India operates a sizeable fleet of 128 planes, facilitating around 1,000 flights daily to numerous destinations worldwide, including its highly-trafficked non-stop routes from Delhi to New York. The airline is working through the aftermath of the incident to restore passenger confidence while ensuring safety and reliability in its operations.