Air India extends full refunds and hotel stays: how passengers are compensated after multiple cancellations

Air India has extended full refunds and hotel accommodations to passengers affected by multiple flight cancellations following the tragic crash of flight AI171 on June 12, which killed 241 of 242 onboard.

The airline confirmed the cancellation of several flights, including AI-159 from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick, AI-170 from London Gatwick to Amritsar, and AI-143 from Delhi to Paris. The cancellations stem from aircraft unavailability due to airspace restrictions, precautionary checks, and technical issues such as a hydraulic leak.

"We are providing hotel accommodation and also offering full refunds on cancellations or complimentary rescheduling if opted by the passengers," an Air India spokesperson said.

The AI-159 flight cancellation marks the third disruption on the Ahmedabad-London route since the June 12 crash of AI171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner that crashed seconds after takeoff, devastatingly killing 241 people.

The airline also cited operational restrictions at Paris Charles de Gaulle airport as a reason for cancelling the Delhi-Paris flight AI143 and its return flight AI142.

"Flight AI143 from Delhi to Paris of 17 June has been cancelled. The mandatory pre-flight checks identified an issue which is being presently addressed. However, in view of the flight coming under the restrictions on night operations at Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) airport, the said flight has been cancelled," the spokesperson added.

The airline expressed regret for the inconvenience caused and emphasized its commitment to passenger care amid ongoing disruptions.

The recent cancellations follow a series of technical and operational challenges for Air India, compounding the impact of the recent tragedy.

Videos showed the Air India plane slamming into buildings bordering the airport, including a college hostel, and exploding into a terrifying fireball that killed 241 of the 242 people on board.

Air India has extended full refunds and hotel accommodations to passengers affected by multiple flight cancellations following the June 12 crash of flight AI171. Cancellations include flights from Ahmedabad to London and Delhi to Paris, with the airline citing technical issues and operational restrictions as causes.