Has Air India Really Canceled the Delhi-Paris Flight Due to an Issue?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Air India canceled Flight AI 143 due to an issue identified during pre-flight checks.
- Passengers on Flight AI 142 from Paris to Delhi on June 18, 2025, are also affected.
- Air India is offering full refunds and accommodations for affected travelers.
- The airline is facing operational challenges due to recent events.
- Safety measures are a top priority for Air India amidst these disruptions.
New Delhi, June 17 (NationPress) In a wave of cancellations, Air India revealed on Tuesday the cancellation of Flight AI 143 from Delhi to Paris, after essential pre-flight inspections uncovered an issue that is currently being resolved.
As a result, Flight AI 142 from Paris to Delhi on June 18, 2025, has also been cancelled, according to a statement from the airline.
The flight was scrapped due to restrictions on night operations at Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) airport. The airline expressed regret for the disruption caused to travelers and is working on alternative travel arrangements to ensure passengers reach their destinations as quickly as possible.
Additionally, the airline mentioned that it will provide hotel accommodations and offer full refunds on cancellations or complimentary rescheduling options for those affected.
Earlier in the day, Flight AI-159, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, from Ahmedabad to London-Gatwick was cancelled because of aircraft availability issues, attributed to airspace restrictions and extra precautionary checks leading to longer turnaround times, and not due to any technical faults as previously claimed, stated Air India.
This flight, which was set to depart at 1:10 p.m., was grounded hours prior to take-off after routine checks raised concerns.
The unexpected cancellation led to chaos at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, where numerous international travelers found themselves stranded, many still shaken by the recent tragedy.
This marks the second cancellation on the Ahmedabad–London route in a mere four days, following another flight cancellation on June 14 due to a crash that tragically claimed the lives of 241 individuals on board and many more on the ground, raising the toll to 270.
Following this, Air India has retired Flight AI-171, replacing it with AI-159 as a symbolic gesture of renewal.
An Air India Flight from San Francisco to Mumbai, with a stop in Kolkata, was also halted at Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport in Kolkata early Tuesday morning due to a detected technical issue with one of its engines.
Reports indicate that the Director General of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has also convened an urgent virtual meeting with officials from Air India and Air India Express.