Air India has announced a temporary cutback in its international flight schedule following last week’s fatal crash involving one of its aircraft—an incident that has disrupted operations, delayed services, and shaken passenger confidence.

In a statement issued late Wednesday on X (formerly Twitter), the national carrier said it would reduce its long-haul operations by 15 percent until at least mid-July.

The cutback mainly affects its wide-body aircraft fleet, which includes large, dual-aisle planes typically used on international routes.

The airline explained that the adjustment is meant to stabilise operations, improve efficiency, and minimise inconvenience to passengers.

This move comes amid growing pressure from Indian aviation authorities to address rising complaints and service issues.

On Tuesday, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) ordered Air India to strengthen its internal systems following a surge in customer grievances, including flight cancellations, malfunctioning onboard equipment, and poor communication.

Although the DGCA said it found no “major safety concerns” after inspecting Air India’s fleet of 33 Boeing 787 Dreamliners—the model involved in the June 12 crash that killed at least 270 people—it did highlight gaps in maintenance.

The regulator instructed the airline to enhance coordination between its engineering, operations, and ground-handling teams.

Air India confirmed that 26 of the 33 Dreamliners had already cleared the safety checks.

Still, the airline remains under pressure, having cancelled over 80 flights since the crash, further stretching its operational capacity.

A spokesperson said Thursday night that Air India operates 190 aircraft, although its website lists 128.

Including its low-cost subsidiary Air India Express, the airline group runs about 1,000 daily flights, many of them international.