New Delhi: Air India has announced a strategic reduction in its international flight schedule, including the temporary suspension of services on six key global routes starting this June. The decision, which is expected to remain in effect until August, comes as the carrier navigates a challenging operational landscape defined by soaring jet fuel prices and significant airspace curbs over several regions. By rationalizing its network during this three-month window, the airline aims to mitigate the financial impact of routes that have become commercially unviable under current market conditions.
The temporary suspensions will impact several high-profile long-haul and regional connections. Specifically, service will be halted on the Delhi-Chicago and Mumbai-New York routes, as well as flights connecting Delhi to Shanghai and Male. Additionally, regional operations between Chennai and Singapore, and Mumbai and Dhaka, will be paused until the end of the August period. Air India noted in an official statement that the combination of record-high fuel costs for international travel and the continued closure of certain flight paths has made maintaining these specific services increasingly difficult for the loss-making carrier.
Despite these localized suspensions, the airline remains committed to maintaining a robust global presence throughout the summer months. Air India confirmed that it will continue to operate more than 1,200 international flights every month, ensuring that the majority of its network remains accessible to travellers. The revised schedule includes 33 weekly flights to North America, 47 to Europe, and 57 to the United Kingdom. Furthermore, the carrier will maintain 158 weekly flights to Southeast Asia and the SAARC regions, alongside eight flights to Australia and seven to Mauritius, as it balances operational efficiency with the needs of its international passenger base.
