✈️ Air India Cancels Ahmedabad–London Flight AI159 Citing Aircraft Unavailability and Safety Checks

Ahmedabad, June 17, 2025 — Air India has cancelled its scheduled flight AI159 from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick today, citing aircraft unavailability due to ongoing operational and safety inspections. This marks the latest disruption in the airline’s international schedule following the recent fatal crash involving a Dreamliner jet on the same route.

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🔍 Why Was the Flight Cancelled?

According to an official Air India statement, the cancellation was due to aircraft unavailability caused by operational constraints and extra safety checks:

“Flight AI159 from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick has been cancelled due to operational reasons and unavailability of aircraft. We regret the inconvenience caused to our passengers.”

The airline is currently conducting fleet-wide inspections, particularly of Boeing 787 Dreamliners, in the aftermath of the AI171 crash on June 12, which claimed 241 lives.

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⚠️ Recent Safety Concerns

The cancellation comes just days after the AI171 accident, in which an Air India Dreamliner crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad en route to London. Investigations into the crash, led by Indian aviation authorities and international partners including Boeing, are still underway.

In response, Air India has been forced to ground or inspect multiple aircraft in its long-haul fleet, affecting routes to London, New York, and Toronto.

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🧳 What About Affected Passengers?

Air India has offered the following to affected passengers:

• Free rescheduling or full refunds

• Hotel accommodations for stranded travelers

• Assistance through airport helpdesks and the Air India customer care hotline

Several passengers have taken to social media to express frustration over last-minute notifications and lack of clear communication at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport.

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🌐 Broader Impact on International Flights

This is not the first international cancellation by Air India in recent weeks:

• Flight AI315 from Hong Kong to Delhi returned midair on June 16 due to a technical glitch.

• Routes to London Heathrow and JFK New York have also faced delays due to ongoing fleet stress and reduced aircraft availability.

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📅 When Will AI159 Resume?

Air India has not yet announced when AI159 will resume. It will likely depend on the progress of ongoing safety inspections and findings from the AI171 crash investigation. Sources indicate that normal operations may take several more days to stabilize.

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🌤️ Weather Not a Factor

While Omaha and parts of Europe experienced rain-related delays this week, Air India confirmed that weather was not a factor in the Ahmedabad–London cancellation. The cause is strictly operational.

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✈️ Summary

Flight	Route	Status	Reason
AI159	Ahmedabad → London Gatwick	Cancelled (June 17)	Aircraft unavailability due to fleet checks

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📝 Final Word

With safety now the top priority, airlines like Air India are erring on the side of caution. While inconvenient for passengers, the cancellations reflect the industry's serious response to recent tragedies. Travelers are advised to check their flight status regularly and stay in touch with airline support channels.

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Author: [Your Name or News Agency]
Published: June 17, 2025
Tags: Air India, Ahmedabad, London Gatwick, Flight AI159, Aircraft Shortage, Boeing 787, Aviation News