Air India flight 159 from Ahmedabad to London cancelled due to ‘operational issues
Flight AI-171, which crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad on June 12, has since been replaced by a new flight code, AI-159
Air India flight 159 from Ahmedabad to London was cancelled on Tuesday due to “operational issues,” leaving several passengers stranded at the airport.
According to the airline’s official website, flight AI-159 from Ahmedabad to London’s Gatwick Airport stands cancelled. The flight was scheduled to take off at 3 pm from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport.
“We have been informed that the flight has been cancelled due to operational issues. The original flight from Ahmedabad to London, having code AI-171, resumed operation from Monday with a new flight code AI-159,” PTI quoted an airport official as saying.
Flight AI-171, which crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad on June 12, has since been replaced by a new flight code, AI-159. The crash claimed the
“I was travelling to Gatwick, London, on the 1 pm Air India flight, but I have just learned that it has been cancelled. The crew members did not provide any reason for the cancellation or details about a fare refund,” a passenger told ANI.
Earlier, an Air India flight from San Francisco to Mumbai was forced to deplane passengers during a scheduled halt at Kolkata airport due to a technical snag in one of its engines.
Flight AI180 landed on time at 12.45 am, but a fault in the left engine of the Boeing 777-300 led to a delay in takeoff.
“When it was finally realised that the technical snag could not be rectified immediately, special permission was taken from the authorities concerned, and then all passengers on board were disembarked,” PTI quoted an Air India official as saying.
Air India usually operates direct flights from San Francisco to Mumbai, but due to ongoing geopolitical developments, including the closure of Pakistani airspace, the airline has been rerouting the flight with a “technical halt” in Kolkata.
On Tuesday, June 17, 2025, Air India Flight AI-159, scheduled to depart from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad to London Gatwick Airport, was cancelled due to a technical issue identified before departure.
This cancellation comes just days after a tragic incident involving another Air India flight. On June 12, Air India Flight AI-171, also a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad, resulting in the deaths of 241 passengers and crew members, as well as 38 people on the ground. The crash has raised serious concerns about aircraft safety and operational reliability.
Passengers scheduled to board Flight AI-159 were informed of the cancellation at the airport. Many expressed frustration over the lack of detailed communication from the airline. Some passengers reported that they had already completed immigration procedures before being informed of the cancellation, leading to further confusion and inconvenience.
The airline has stated that they are working to accommodate affected passengers on alternative flights and are providing assistance where possible. However, the recent series of cancellations and technical issues have led to a wave of anger among passengers, with many questioning the airline’s operational competence and safety protocols.
The cancellation of Flight AI-159 adds to a series of recent incidents involving Air India. Just the day before, another Air India flight, AI-315, en route from Hong Kong to Delhi, was forced to turn back mid-air due to technical issues. These incidents have raised serious concerns over the airline’s fleet safety and prompted ongoing investigations by authorities.
In response to the recent crash, Air India has retired the flight number AI-171 and its reciprocal AI-172, renaming the routes as AI-159 and AI-160, respectively. The airline has also announced compensation for the families of the victims and is cooperating with investigations into the crash.
As investigations into the recent incidents continue, passengers are advised to stay informed about their flight statuses and to reach out to Air India for assistance with rebooking and accommodations. The airline has expressed its commitment to ensuring the safety and comfort of its passengers and is taking steps to address the concerns raised by these incidents.
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