As many as 80 flights, primarily to Europe, North America, and the Middle East, have either been cancelled or delayed since the incident
In the wake of the June 12 crash involving an Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner, the airline has seen a marked decline in ticket bookings and fares on several international routes, with many passengers opting to delay or cancel their travel plans. According to industry reports and independent fare tracking, ticket prices on key routes such as Delhi–London and Delhi–Amsterdam have dropped by 20–30% compared to pre-crash levels, with one-way fares now available for as low as INR 46,000. The downturn in bookings has prompted Air India to temporarily reduce its international wide-body operations by 15% through mid-July.
As many as 80 flights, primarily to Europe, North America, and the Middle East, have either been cancelled or delayed since the incident, due to both fleet reallocation and ongoing safety inspections. Of Air India’s fleet of 33 Dreamliners, 26 have cleared the newly mandated safety audits by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), with the remaining aircraft expected to be inspected and cleared in the coming days. These audits include enhanced checks of the GEnx engine systems, emergency power systems, and takeoff protocols. In the meantime, the airline is offering full refunds or alternate routing options to affected passengers and has deployed substitute aircraft where possible.
An independent review of Air India’s ticketing website reveals significant fare reductions.
Fare Check on Air India’s Site
Recent round-trip fares for June–July travel originating from Delhi:
| Route | Pre‑crash Fare | Post‑crash Fare | Approx. Drop |
|---|---|---|---|
| Delhi–London | ₹65,000 | ₹48,000 | –26% |
| Delhi–Amsterdam | ₹62,000 | ₹46,000 | –26% |
| Mumbai–New York | ₹140,000 | ₹105,000 | –25% |
Key observations:
• Discounts range between 20–30%—consistent with media findings.
• Availability is currently good, but for later July, fares begin to climb slightly again, though still lower than before the incident.
• These quieter booking trends suggest passengers are opting for shorter-haul flights or watching the situation closely before committing.
For instance, a Delhi–London round trip that previously averaged INR 65,000 is now available for around INR 48,000. A Mumbai–New York fare, once priced at INR 1.4 lakh, has dropped to INR 1.05 lakh. Travel agents confirm that the dip in demand is directly tied to anxiety among fliers about boarding Boeing 787 aircraft, even though the cause of the crash is still under investigation and no official safety deficiency has yet been confirmed.
The June 12 crash is now being considered India’s largest aviation insurance claim, which is expected to influence the airline’s cost structure in the near future. However, industry experts believe this incident, while deeply unsettling, is unlikely to derail the long-term growth of Indian aviation, which is projected to see over 1,000 aircraft deliveries in the next two decades. For now, Air India faces the dual challenge of managing passenger confidence while ensuring rigorous safety oversight.
Published: 19 Jun 2025, 08:02 pm IST
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