What to Expect from Indian Airlines This Summer: Flight Reductions and Regional Challenges
Overview of the Upcoming Summer Flight Schedule
New Delhi/Mumbai: Starting March 29, Indian airlines will operate just over 23,000 domestic flights weekly for the summer schedule, reflecting a 10% decrease compared to last year’s figures.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has released the summer flight schedule, which will be in effect until October 24, covering nine scheduled airlines.
According to a senior official from DGCA, the number of flights will be approximately 10% lower than the previous summer schedule.
Last year, the weekly flight count was 25,610, meaning this year’s reduction translates to about 2,561 fewer flights, bringing the total to around 23,049 weekly services.
While the DGCA has published the airline-specific summer schedule for 2026, it has not provided a comprehensive comparison with last summer's or the current winter schedule.
The airlines participating in the 2026 summer schedule include Air India, Air India Express, IndiGo, Akasa Air, SpiceJet, Alliance Air, FLY91, Star Air, and IndiaOne Air.
In the ongoing winter schedule, which runs from October 26, 2025, to March 28, 2026, airlines were set to operate 26,495 weekly flights. However, operational disruptions at IndiGo in early December led to a 10% reduction in its winter schedule.
Additionally, the ongoing conflict in West Asia, involving the US, Israel, and Iran since February 28, has significantly affected Indian carriers' flight operations to that region.
Airline executives have expressed concerns about the uncertainty surrounding the summer schedule, indicating that further reductions may be necessary.
The initial schedule was developed in January and February, a time when there were no anticipated risks from the Middle East conflict. Now, the situation has changed, leading to increased operational complexities.
On March 24, IndiGo announced plans to commence its domestic summer schedule with nearly 2,000 daily flights in April.
While IndiGo's international schedule was intended to mirror winter levels, adjustments will be made based on the evolving situation in the Middle East. The airline has also noted a significant rise in operating costs, particularly due to fuel and foreign exchange rates, which are expected to continue escalating.