Air India has decided to reduce international flights, temporarily suspending services on some overseas routes. The decision has been taken in the wake of airspace curbs, and high jet fuel prices. Air India said, rationalisation of international services will be in place for June to August this year.
The airline has announced the suspension and reduction of frequencies on 29 international routes between June and August 2026 amid the ongoing West Asia conflict, rising jet fuel prices and airspace restrictions across key regions. Majorly services will be temporarily suspended on Delhi-Chicago, Mumbai-New York, Delhi-Shanghai, Chennai-Singapore, and two other routes.
The airline said the temporary changes were aimed at improving operational stability and reducing last-minute inconvenience to 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."
Despite the cuts, the airline said it would continue operating more than 1,200 international flights every month across five continents."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)," the airline said in statement.
The move comes amid rising jet fuel prices, ongoing airspace restrictions over certain regions, and operational cost pressures affecting long-haul routes.The airline has also indicated that the adjustments are part of efforts to optimise capacity and improve overall efficiency on selected international sectors.
The decision follows recent government appeals, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call for greater fuel prudence and reduced consumption across sectors, amid global energy and geopolitical uncertainties.Air India stated that it will continue to monitor demand and operational conditions and may revise its schedule further depending on market and regulatory developments.
Passengers affected by the changes are expected to be offered alternative travel options or rebooking facilities as per airline policy.The suspension of the Delhi–Chicago route marks one of the most significant adjustments in Air India’s North American network this year, reflecting broader challenges in international aviation operations.
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