Air India has cancelled six international flights on Tuesday as the airline undergoes enhanced safety inspections under the supervision of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). The move comes in response to a recent spate of mid-air incidents and precautionary measures enforced by aviation authorities.

One of the affected flights was AI159 from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick, which the airline attributed to the non-availability of aircraft. Air India clarified that the cancellations were not due to mechanical failures, but were instead a result of extended turnaround times caused by detailed inspections and ongoing airspace restrictions. “The longer-than-usual turnaround of aircraft is a result of enhanced inspections and not a snag,” an Air India spokesperson explained.

The broader scrutiny of Air India’s fleet follows a series of alarming episodes over the last 36 hours, including three in-flight U-turns and one emergency landing. These incidents have prompted the DGCA to initiate a full inspection of Air India’s Boeing 787-8 Dreamliners, commonly used on routes to the UK and Europe.

Among the impacted flights, AI143 from Delhi to Paris was cancelled after a pre-flight check flagged an issue. Due to nighttime flight restrictions at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport, rescheduling the flight was not an option.

Additionally, a flight from San Francisco to Mumbai was grounded upon arrival after routine post-landing checks raised safety concerns, further contributing to operational disruptions.

In another incident, an Air India Express flight from Delhi to Ranchi was forced to return shortly after takeoff on Monday due to a suspected technical issue. The aircraft was later cleared for continued service following inspection.

These developments underscore the growing concern around aviation safety and maintenance protocols, especially for long-haul international routes, as regulators intensify oversight in the wake of repeated disruptions.