Air India, the national carrier of India, has announced a significant operational change at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport. Starting October 26, 2025, the airline plans to relocate 60 of its 180 daily domestic flights from Terminal 3 to Terminal 2. This move is part of the airline's strategy to support expansion activities at Terminal 3 while maintaining its international operations.

Key Changes in Flight Operations

• Domestic Flight Relocation: 60 out of 180 daily domestic flights are expected to move to Terminal 2
• International Flights: All international flights are planned to continue operating from Terminal 3
• Flight Number Identification: Flights departing from Terminal 2 are set to have flight numbers beginning with 'AI1XXX'
• Implementation Date: October 26, 2025, coinciding with Air India's Northern Winter Schedule launch

Expansion of Services

The relocation coincides with Air India's plans to increase both domestic and short-haul international services. Notable expansions include:

Additionally, Air India aims to strengthen its domestic network by:

• Adding frequencies to destinations in Rajasthan
• Enhancing connectivity across Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat

Fleet Modernization Progress

Air India reports progress in its fleet modernization program:

• 26 out of 27 legacy A320neo aircraft have been retrofitted
• New three-class cabin interiors have been installed

This modernization effort aligns with the airline's commitment to improving passenger experience and operational efficiency.

The strategic relocation of flights and expansion of services demonstrate Air India's efforts to optimize its operations and enhance its market presence. Passengers are advised to check their flight details and terminal information when traveling from Delhi airport after October 26, 2025.

Air India successfully operated a special flight to bring back more than 250 passengers who were stranded in Milan due to a technical issue with their original flight. The rescue operation highlights the airline's commitment to passenger welfare and its ability to respond swiftly to unexpected challenges.

Flight Details

Incident Overview

The original flight AI138 was cancelled on October 17 due to technical issues with the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner aircraft. This unexpected cancellation left over 250 passengers stranded in Milan, causing significant inconvenience and leading to complaints about inadequate facilities. Many passengers were particularly distressed about missing Diwali celebrations due to the delay.

Air India's Response

Air India demonstrated prompt action in addressing the situation:

• Expedited aircraft repairs
• Secured approvals for an additional commercial flight
• Offered affected passengers two options:
  1. Maintain existing rebookings on other airlines
  2. Switch to the special rescue flight (AI138D)

Special Considerations

Air India showed particular attention to individual passenger needs. In one notable case, a passenger with a Schengen visa expiring on October 20 was rebooked on another airline's October 19 departure to ensure visa compliance.

Conclusion

This incident underscores the importance of airlines having contingency plans for unexpected technical issues. Air India's swift response in arranging a special flight demonstrates the airline's commitment to passenger service and its ability to manage complex logistical challenges in international operations.