Air India AI 159 Grounded: Tech Issues Haunt Same Route As AI 171 Disaster

Air India Flight (Photo Credit: Air India/X)

New Delhi:  Air India's flight AI 159 from Ahmedabad to London was cancelled due to a technical glitch detected during routine checks. The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, scheduled to depart at 1:10 pm, was grounded hours before takeoff as a precautionary measure.

According to ANI, Air India says, "Flight AI159 from Ahmedabad to Gatwick has been cancelled today due to the unavailability of the aircraft, resulting from airspace restrictions and additional precautionary checks, leading to longer than usual turnaround of aircraft, and not due to any technical snag as claimed. We regret the inconvenience caused to our passengers and have made alternative arrangements to fly them to their destination. We are providing hotel accommodation and also offering full refunds on cancellations or complimentary rescheduling if requested by the passengers. Consequently, flight AI170 from London Gatwick to Amritsar on 17th June stands cancelled."

Air India says, "Flight AI159 from Ahmedabad to Gatwick has been cancelled today due to the unavailability of the aircraft, resulting from airspace restrictions and additional precautionary checks, leading to longer than usual turnaround of aircraft, and not due to any technical… https://t.co/1gKv4R1kmk

— ANI (@ANI) June 17, 2025

This cancellation comes just days after a devastating plane crash on the same route, which claimed 274 lives. The airline cited "operational issues" as the reason for the cancellation without providing further details. Passengers expressed frustration over the lack of information and facilities provided to them, with some complaining about the sudden cancellation without prior notice.

A passenger told ANI that the Air India flight AI-159 from Ahmedabad to London, Gatwick, has been suddenly cancelled.

"I was going to Gatwick, London, by the 1 p.m. Air India flight, but I have just learned that the flight has been cancelled. The crew members could not give any reason for the flight cancellation or details on a fare refund," the passenger added.

#WATCH | Ahmedabad | Passengers of Air India flight AI-159 from Ahmedabad to London, Gatwick say the flight has been suddenly cancelled

An AI-159 flight passenger says, "I was going to Gatwick, London, by the 1 p.m. Air India flight, but I have just learned that the flight has… pic.twitter.com/XnKUWOMWhI

— ANI (@ANI) June 17, 2025

Another passenger said, "We have been told that today's flight has been cancelled and it will depart at 1100 hours tomorrow. All passengers here are troubled."

#WATCH | Ahmedabad | A relative of an AI-159 passenger says, "We have been told that today's flight has been cancelled and it will depart at 1100 hours tomorrow. All passengers here are troubled." pic.twitter.com/WQf7jUKwoj

— ANI (@ANI) June 17, 2025

This incident adds to Air India's recent woes, including a technical snag in one of its engines on a San Francisco to Mumbai flight, which forced passengers to deplane at Kolkata airport, and a Delhi-bound flight that returned to Hong Kong due to a suspected technical issue.

Air India issued a statement saying, "Flight AI159 from Ahmedabad to Gatwick has been cancelled today due to the unavailability of the aircraft, resulting from airspace restrictions and additional precautionary checks, leading to longer than usual turnaround of aircraft, and not due to any technical snag as claimed." 

"We regret the inconvenience caused to our passengers and have made alternative arrangements to fly them to their destination. We are providing hotel accommodation and also offering full refunds on cancellations or complimentary rescheduling if opted by the passengers. Consequently, flight AI170 from London Gatwick to Amritsar of 17 June stands cancelled," said the Air India spokesperson.