Air India, the full-service airline owned by the Tata Group, has officially ended its operations at Manipur’s Imphal International Airport from 15 June 2025. However, the low-cost wing of the company, Air India Express, will continue to operate flights to and from Imphal, ensuring that the state remains connected by air.
According to officials from the Airport Authority of India (AAI), this move is part of a long-standing, pre-planned strategy by the airline and is not linked to any recent incidents. The Tata Group is currently carrying out a strategic realignment to improve the performance of its airline business, and shifting to a low-cost model in certain regions is a key part of that plan.
This development comes shortly after a tragic Air India plane crash on 12 June 2025. Flight AI 171, which was travelling from Ahmedabad to London, crashed in Ahmedabad’s Meghani Nagar area shortly after takeoff, claiming the lives of 241 people on board.
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Only one passenger survived, and several others were injured on the ground. Among those killed were five MBBS doctors, one PG resident doctor, and the wife of a senior medical college doctor. Investigations are ongoing, with experts examining potential causes such as engine failure or technical problems during takeoff. Despite the timing, officials have clarified that the decision to withdraw Air India’s full-service flights from Imphal was made well in advance and has no connection to the crash.
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In an emotional message to employees, Tata Group Chairman N. Chandrasekaran expressed deep sorrow, calling the tragedy “one of the darkest days in the Tata Group’s history.” While the full-service option will no longer be available at Imphal, passengers can still travel through Air India Express, though without the premium services that Air India typically offers.
