New Delhi: Air India has announced the suspension or reduction of frequencies on 29 international routes between June and August 2026, citing the ongoing West Asia conflict, rising jet fuel prices, and airspace restrictions across key regions.
Temporary Changes for Operational Stability
The airline stated that these temporary adjustments aim to improve operational stability and minimize last-minute inconveniences for passengers as global aviation continues to face disruptions linked to the Iran war crisis and instability around the Strait of Hormuz. In a statement, Air India said, "The adjustments have been made in response to a combination of factors, including continued airspace restrictions over certain regions and record high jet fuel prices for international operations, which significantly impact the commercial viability of certain planned services."
Robust Network Despite Cuts
Despite the reductions, the airline emphasized that it will continue operating more than 1,200 international flights every month across five continents. The statement added, "Despite the challenges and beyond these adjustments, Air India will continue to operate more than 1200 international flights every month, retaining a robust international network that spans five continents, including 33 flights per week to North America, 47 flights per week to Europe, 57 flights per week to the UK, 08 flights per week to Australia, 158 flights per week to the Far East, Southeast Asia and SAARC regions, and 07 flights per week to Mauritius (Africa)."
Impact of West Asia Conflict
The move comes as the West Asia conflict has sharply increased global oil prices and disrupted one of the world's most critical energy chokepoints, the Strait of Hormuz, through which nearly one-fifth of global oil supply passes. Airlines globally have been grappling with soaring operating costs as aviation turbine fuel prices surge. Air India had already reduced around 90 daily flights in May and is now undertaking another round of network rationalization as part of broader cost-control measures. The airline is estimated to have suffered losses exceeding Rs 22,000 crore in the last financial year.
Detailed Route Changes
North America
- Delhi-Chicago: temporarily suspended
- Delhi-San Francisco: reduced from 10 weekly flights to 7 weekly flights through August
- Delhi-Toronto: reduced from 10 weekly flights to 5 weekly flights through July; daily operations to resume from August
- Delhi-Vancouver: reduced from 7 weekly flights to 5 weekly flights
- Mumbai-Newark: increased from 3 weekly flights to daily operations
- Delhi-Newark: temporarily suspended
- Mumbai-New York (JFK): temporarily suspended
- Delhi-New York (JFK): continues as a daily service
Europe
- Delhi-Paris: reduced from 14 weekly flights to 7 weekly flights
- Delhi-Copenhagen: reduced from 4 weekly flights to 3 weekly flights
- Delhi-Milan: reduced from 5 weekly flights to 4 weekly flights
- Delhi-Vienna: reduced from 4 weekly flights to 3 weekly flights
- Delhi-Zurich: reduced from 4 weekly flights to 3 weekly flights
- Delhi-Rome: reduced from 4 weekly flights to 3 weekly flights
Australia
- Delhi-Melbourne: reduced from 7 weekly flights to 4 weekly flights
- Delhi-Sydney: reduced from 7 weekly flights to 4 weekly flights
Far East, Southeast Asia and SAARC
- Delhi-Shanghai: temporarily suspended through August
- Delhi-Singapore: reduced from 24 weekly flights to 14 weekly flights
- Mumbai-Singapore: reduced from 14 weekly flights to 7 weekly flights
- Chennai-Singapore: temporarily suspended through August
- Delhi-Bangkok: reduced from 28 weekly flights to 21 weekly flights from July
- Mumbai-Bangkok: reduced from 13 weekly flights to 7 weekly flights from July
- Delhi-Kuala Lumpur: reduced from 10 weekly flights to 5 weekly flights
- Delhi-Ho Chi Minh City: reduced from 7 weekly flights to 4 weekly flights in July and August
- Delhi-Hanoi: reduced from 5 weekly flights to 4 weekly flights in July and August
- Delhi-Kathmandu: reduced from 42 weekly flights to 28 weekly flights in June and further to 21 weekly flights in July and August
- Delhi-Dhaka: reduced from 7 weekly flights to 4 weekly flights
- Mumbai-Dhaka: temporarily suspended through August
- Mumbai-Colombo: reduced from 7 weekly flights to 4 weekly flights
- Delhi-Colombo: reduced from 14 weekly flights to 12 weekly flights
- Delhi-Male: temporarily suspended through August
Assistance for Affected Passengers
The airline stated it would proactively assist affected passengers with rebooking options, free date changes, or full refunds. Industry experts note that airlines are facing mounting pressure due to soaring crude oil prices, weakening travel demand, and higher operating costs caused by rerouted flights avoiding conflict zones.
Broader Impact and Cost-Cutting Measures
The Iran conflict and tensions in the Strait of Hormuz have significantly impacted global aviation fuel markets, with carriers forced to take longer routes to avoid restricted airspace in parts of West Asia. Air India is also exploring additional cost-cutting measures, including optional meal services on domestic and short-haul international flights and possible unbundling of lounge access for some premium passengers. The announcement comes days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged citizens to postpone non-essential foreign travel and adopt work-from-home and virtual meeting practices to help conserve foreign exchange amid the global crisis.
