The June 12 mishap involving Air India Flight 171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner en route from Ahmedabad to London, has caused widespread anxiety among Bengaluru travelers. Many residents are either postponing their trips or switching airlines, citing heightened concern over aircraft models, flight duration, and airline safety.
Akshatha Y P, a Kengeri-based frequent flyer to London, has delayed her June-end travel plans due to her family’s safety concerns. “I’m attending most meetings online for now,” she says. Ruhaniyat Syed from Banaswadi is set to lose ₹27,000 while rescheduling her Germany flight to a different airline in July.
Fayaz Khan, who runs Journey World Vacations, observes a growing preference for connecting flights over non-stop journeys to London. His agency has received numerous queries about aircraft models for July and August flights. A Kasturi Nagar travel agent reports that nearly 60% of bookings with Air India and Air India Express have been canceled since June 13.
Punya T Patel from Susheel Holidays, Ganganagar, says 25% of clients heading to Europe and the US are switching airlines, willing to pay hefty change fees. Vignesh Kamath of Travel Bird Vacations notes rescheduling based on aircraft type, with 4–5% changes in Air India’s international bookings.
Ravikanth of JetSeter links a 40% business dip in June-July to the Air India mishap, global instability, and high Kumbh Mela travel spend. Still, Kamath remains hopeful, noting such fears tend to subside globally after time.
DGCA confirms that 24 of 33 Dreamliners passed enhanced safety checks as of June 17.
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