NEW DELHI: Air travellers should prepare for higher domestic fares and fewer flights this summer as major airlines reduce capacity. Air India, AI Express, and IndiGo will collectively remove about 250 domestic flights per day from June to August, driven by spiralling operating costs due to rising jet fuel prices and a weakening rupee amid slowing demand.
Reasons for Flight Reductions
Airlines indicate that discretionary travel is among the first areas to be curtailed when households and businesses struggle with rising costs. After suspending 145 weekly international flights, loss-making Air India will slash its domestic flights by approximately 22% this summer. The airline reported a loss of about Rs 25,000 crore last fiscal and is implementing cost-cutting measures amid soaring operational expenditure. Air India operates around 4,400 weekly flights, of which about 3,600 are domestic and 800 international. Roughly 800 weekly domestic flights may now be cut.
IndiGo's Temporary Suspension
IndiGo is also temporarily suspending 7-10% of its domestic flights this summer, though the airline says these are seasonal cuts and not part of any cost-cutting initiative. IndiGo operates about 2,200 flights daily.
Air India's Statement
An Air India spokesperson said: 'In continuation of our adjustments to select international services between June and August 2026, we have temporarily rationalised operations on certain domestic routes during the same period, with a reduction in frequencies on select routes. These adjustments are driven by the sustained impact of high fuel prices on operations.'
The spokesperson added: 'Air India will continue to monitor demand and operating conditions closely, with a view to restoring frequencies as conditions stabilise. Passengers impacted by these changes will be proactively assisted with re-accommodation on alternative flights, complimentary date changes, or full refunds, as applicable.'
Impact on Fares
Earlier this month, Air India decided to suspend an additional 145 weekly flights between June and August. These new cuts, on top of almost 100 daily flights being suspended, will lead to even higher fares on the truncated supply this summer, as big Gulf carriers are also operating at reduced capacity.
