After Air India announced the phased restoration of international flights last week following the tragic accident of AI171 in June, the Tata Group-owned carrier has announced the suspension of its services between Delhi and Washington, D.C., effective September 1, 2025, due to a combination of operational factors.

Just five days back, Air India CEO and MD Campbell Wilson said the airline has begun a phased restoration of international operations from August 1, 2025, with full resumption targeted for October 1, 2025.

The airline said the suspension of its services to Washington, D.C. is primarily driven by the planned shortfall in Air India’s fleet, as the airline started retrofitting 26 of its Boeing 787-8 aircraft last month. "The extensive retrofit programme, aimed at enhancing customer experience, necessitates a prolonged unavailability of multiple aircraft at any given time until at least the end of 2026," said Air India.

These factors, coupled with the continued closure of airspace over Pakistan, have impacted the airline’s long-haul operations, said Air India, adding that it leads to longer flight routings and increased operational complexity.

Those fliers who have booked Air India tickets to or from Washington, D.C. beyond September 1, 2025, will be contacted and offered alternative travel arrangements, including rebooking on other flights or full refunds, as per their individual preferences, said the Air India statement.

Besides, Air India says fliers will continue to have the options of one-stop flights to Washington, D.C. via four U.S. gateways – New York (JFK), Newark (EWR), Chicago, and San Francisco – with the airline’s interline partners, Alaska Airlines, United Airlines, and Delta Air Lines, allowing customers to travel on a single itinerary with their baggage checked through to the final destination.

The airline reiterated that it will continue to operate non-stop flights between India and six destinations in North America, including Toronto and Vancouver in Canada.

After the deadly Ahmedabad crash in June, Air India had slashed international services on widebody aircraft by 15% since June 19. This happened after India’s aviation regulator, DGCA (Directorate General of Civil Aviation) mandated ‘Enhanced Safety Inspection’ across Air India’s Boeing 787-8/9 aircraft fleet. Air India carried out a detailed inspection of its fleet of Boeing 787-8 and 787-9 aircraft following the crash, following which it was approved to operate these planes. Each aircraft underwent inspections under the oversight of India's aviation regulator, the DGCA (Directorate General of Civil Aviation).