Air India to Resume International Flights in Phases from August 1

After weeks of suspended and curtailed global operations, Air India has announced the gradual restoration of its international flights, starting August 1, 2025, following a "Safety Pause" initiated in the wake of the tragic crash of flight AI171 on June 12.

This strategic pause was implemented to allow for precautionary safety inspections of Boeing 787 aircraft and to adjust operations due to regional airspace closures.

In a statement released on Tuesday, the Air India confirmed that partial services will resume from August 1, with a complete return to normal operations by October 1. The phased recovery includes a combination of restored routes, increased frequencies, and temporary suspensions on select corridors.

"As the schedule reductions taken as part of the Safety Pause had been implemented until 31 July 2025 and the restoration to full operation is being phased, some services initially planned to operate between 1 August and 30 September 2025 will be removed from the schedule. Air India is proactively contacting affected passengers to offer re-booking on alternative flights or a full refund, as per their preference. Air India apologizes for the inconvenience," the airline stated.

Key Routes Resuming or Expanding Services from August 2025

Flights to Europe and Asia Resume in Phases

Air India has confirmed the resumption of services on five major international routes, either through reinstatement or increased frequency:

• Delhi–London (Heathrow): Full 24 weekly flights restored starting July 16

• Delhi–Zurich: Frequency increased from 4 to 5 times weekly beginning August 1

• Flights between Delhi and Tokyo (Haneda) are set to return to full frequency in August, while services on the Delhi–Seoul (Incheon) route will be fully restored by September.

• Delhi–Amsterdam: Returns to 7 weekly flights from August 1

New and Reconfigured Routes

Ahmedabad-London and Nairobi Flights

• A new Ahmedabad–London (Heathrow) route will run three times a week, taking the place of the existing five-times-weekly service to Gatwick

• Delhi–Nairobi will run three times weekly until August 31, but will be suspended between September 1 and 30

Routes Operating with Reduced Frequencies Until September-End

Europe & UK Routes Facing Temporary Reductions

Although some services are being reinstated, more than 15 international routes will remain on reduced schedules through at least September 30

• Bengaluru–London (Heathrow): Reduced to 6x weekly, and will drop further to 4x weekly from August 1

• Delhi–Paris: Reduced to 7x weekly from 12x weekly, effective August 1

• Delhi–Milan: Reduced from 4x to 3x weekly, effective July 16

• Delhi–Copenhagen: Continues at 3x weekly (down from 5)

• Delhi–Vienna: Remains reduced to 3x weekly

• Amritsar–Birmingham: Reduced to 2x weekly until August 31, resumes 3x weekly from September 1

• Delhi–Birmingham: Maintains reduced service at 2x weekly

North America and Australia Flights Remain Limited

• Flights to North American cities such as New York (JFK and Newark), Washington, Chicago, San Francisco, Toronto, and Vancouver are currently running at limited frequencies, with services ranging between 3 and 7 flights per week

• Delhi–Melbourne and Delhi–Sydney continue with 5 weekly flights each

International Routes Remaining Fully Suspended

Four Routes to Stay Suspended Until September 30

The following four routes will remain fully suspended until the end of September 2025:

• Amritsar–London (Gatwick)

• Goa (Mopa)–London (Gatwick)

• Bengaluru–Singapore

• Pune–Singapore

Passenger Assistance and Refund Options

Air India has assured passengers that it is proactively reaching out to those affected by cancellations to provide either alternative flight bookings or full refunds, based on individual preferences.

“Air India is proactively contacting affected passengers to offer re-booking on alternative flights or a full refund, as per their preference.”

Despite Setbacks, International Network Remains Robust

Even with temporary cuts and suspensions, Air India will operate over 525 international flights weekly across 63 destinations worldwide during the phased recovery period. This demonstrates the airline’s commitment to restoring global connectivity while prioritizing passenger safety.