Air India Reduces International Flights Amid Rising Fuel Costs and Airspace Restrictions

Air India has announced significant reductions in its international flight operations due to soaring fuel costs and airspace restrictions. From June to August 2026, the airline will suspend or cut back on several key routes, including those to North America, Europe, and Asia. This decision has raised concerns among travelers planning summer trips, as the airline's capacity has already decreased significantly compared to last year. Major routes, including flights from Delhi to Chicago and San Francisco, have been particularly impacted. The reductions extend to various European and Asian destinations, further complicating travel plans for many passengers. Read on to learn more about the specific routes affected and the implications for travelers.

By Narendra Chaudhary May 13, 2026, 19:10 IST

Air India Cuts International Services

In response to escalating fuel prices and restricted airspace, Air India has announced a reduction or suspension of several international routes from June to August 2026. The airline confirmed that the soaring fuel costs and the closure of airspace in certain regions have necessitated these changes, particularly affecting its operations in North America, Europe, and Asia.

Impact on Flight Capacity

According to aviation analysis firm OAG, Air India's international capacity has already seen a significant decline compared to last year, raising concerns for travelers planning summer trips abroad. Data from OAG indicates that in April 2026, Air India operated only 1,987 international flights, marking a nearly 22% drop from the 2,549 flights conducted in the same month the previous year. This downward trend continued into May, with the airline scheduled to operate approximately 2,072 flights, down from 2,588 last year. A further reduction of about 7% is anticipated in June.

Suspension of Key Routes

Several major routes have been affected by these changes. Flights from Delhi to Chicago have been completely suspended, while the frequency of Delhi to San Francisco flights has been reduced from ten to seven per week. Additionally, Delhi to Toronto flights have been halved until July, dropping from ten to five weekly. Flights between Delhi and Newark, as well as those from Mumbai to New York (JFK), are also currently suspended.

Effects on European and Asian Networks

The impact is also evident on air networks in Europe and Asia. Weekly flights from Delhi to Paris have decreased from 14 to seven, and reductions have been made on routes to Rome, Zurich, Vienna, Copenhagen, and Milan. In Asia, the weekly flights from Delhi to Singapore have dropped from 24 to 14, while flights from Mumbai to Singapore have been reduced from 14 to seven. Furthermore, Chennai to Singapore flights will remain suspended until August.