Bangalore International Flight Cancellations: Air India Cuts San Francisco & London Routes

Disappointment rippled through Kempegowda International Airport yesterday as Air India announced the cancellation of two critical international flights, leaving many travelers scrambling to adjust their plans. Passengers booked on AI 175 to San Francisco and AI 133 to London's Heathrow found their journeys unexpectedly grounded.

The San Francisco-bound flight, scheduled for a 1:20 p.m. departure, and the London service, due to take off at 2:15 p.m., were both impacted by these cancellations. This development comes on the heels of Air India's earlier announcement to significantly cut back on its international wide-body flight operations.

Just a day prior, on Wednesday, June 18th, Air India had revealed plans to reduce its international long-haul and ultra-long-haul services, operated by its Boeing 787 and 777 aircraft, by a notable 15%. Both of the cancelled Bengaluru flights fall squarely into this category; the London route is serviced by a Boeing 787, while the San Francisco connection utilizes a Boeing 777-200LR.

The Bengaluru-San Francisco route holds particular significance. Spanning an impressive 13,993 kilometers, it's touted as the longest commercial flight operated by Air India, and indeed, by any airline in India. Its cancellation underscores the depth of the airline's operational adjustments.

Looking ahead, Air India has confirmed that the Bengaluru-London (Heathrow) service, which previously operated daily, will be scaled back to six flights per week. This reduction is set to take effect from June 21st and will remain in place until at least July 15th, giving passengers a clear window for potential ongoing disruptions. Travelers are advised to check Air India's website or contact their customer service for the latest updates on their flight status.