Air India on Wednesday announced it will cut off flight services on some international routes between June and August 2026 in view of rising jet fuel prices and airspace restrictions due to the US-Iran conflict.
According to a statement issued by the transport company, it will cut international flights to North America, Europe, Australia and SAARC countries, while services will be completely suspended on some external routes. Flights to Chicago, Toronto, New York, Paris, Rome, Sydney, Singapore and Bangkok are among those affected by the rationalization.
The announcement comes amid airspace restrictions and rising jet fuel costs, largely due to conflict in West Asia. Tensions escalated in the region after the US-Israeli strikes on Iran, as Israel responded with attacks on other countries, including OPEC countries.
Read also | Has Air India canceled international flights until July? Clarification on airline issues
Regarding cancellations, Air India said it will assist customers with affected bookings and will offer them re-accommodation on possible alternative flights, free date change or full refund “as applicable”.
What roads are affected? Full list
Services are temporarily suspended between:
• Delhi-Chicago
• Delhi-Newark
• Mumbai – New York (JFK)
• Delhi-Shanghai (suspended until August)
• Chennai-Singapore (suspended until August)
• Mumbai-Dhaka (suspended till August)
• Delhi-Male (suspended until August)
In addition, services to and from:
north america
• Delhi-San Francisco Flights have been reduced from 10 times a week to 7 times a week until August
• Delhi-Toronto Flights have been reduced from 10 times a week to 5 times a week until July. Daily operations will increase from August.
• Delhi-Vancouver Flights have been reduced from 7 times a week to 5 times a week.
However, the Mumbai-Newark services will be temporarily increased from 3 times a week to 7 times a week, while the Delhi-New York (JFK) service will remain 7 times a week, according to Air India.
Read also | What the jet fuel crisis means for your summer trips and travel plans
Europe
• Delhi-Paris Flights have been reduced from 14 times a week to 7 times a week.
• Delhi-Copenhagen Flights have been reduced from 4 times a week to 3 times a week.
• Delhi-Milan Flights have been reduced from 5 times a week to 4 times a week.
• Delhi-Vienna Flights have been reduced from 4 times a week to 3 times a week.
• Delhi-Zurich Flights have been reduced from 4 times a week to 3 times a week.
• Delhi-Rome Flights have been reduced from 4 times a week to 3 times a week.
Australia
• Delhi-Melbourne Flights have been reduced from 7 times a week to 4 times a week.
• Delhi-Sydney Flights have been reduced from 7 times a week to 4 times a week.
Far East, Southeast Asia and SAARC
• Delhi-Singapore Flights have been reduced from 24 times a week to 14 times a week.
• Mumbai-Singapore Flights have been reduced from 14 times a week to 7 times a week.
• Delhi – Bangkok Flights were reduced from 28 times a week to 21 times a week as of July.
• Mumbai – Bangkok Flights were reduced from 13 times a week to 7 times a week as of July.
• Delhi-Kuala Lumpur Flights have been reduced from 10 times a week to 5 times a week.
• Delhi-Ho Chi Minh City Flights were reduced from 7 times a week to 4 times a week in July and August.
• Delhi-Hanoi Flights were reduced from 5 times a week to 4 times a week in July and August.
• Delhi-Kathmandu Flights were reduced from 42 times a week to 28 times a week in June, then to 21 times a week in July and August.
• Delhi-Dhaka Flights have been reduced from 7 times a week to 4 times a week.
• Mumbai – Colombo Flights have been reduced from 7 times a week to 4 times a week.
• Delhi-Colombo Flights have been reduced from 14 times a week to 12 times a week.
What did Air India say about rationalization?
In its statement, Air India attributed the decision to “a combination of factors, including ongoing airspace restrictions over certain areas and record high jet fuel prices for international operations, which are significantly impacting the commercial viability of some planned services.”
The airline said that the announced changes will improve network stability and reduce last-minute inconvenience to passengers. However, it stated that the carrier will continue to operate more than 1,200 international flights per month, including 33 flights per week to North America, 47 flights per week to Europe, 57 flights per week to the United Kingdom, 8 flights per week to Australia, 158 flights per week to the Far East, Southeast Asia and SAARC regions, and 7 flights per week to Mauritius (Africa).
