Air India is set to reduce more than 500 international flights this summer as soaring jet fuel prices and airspace restrictions make many routes unprofitable. CEO Campbell Wilson informed employees last week in an internal email that the airline will continue scaling back operations until July.
The airline’s international capacity has already taken a significant hit. Data from the Official Airline Guide (OAG) shows that Air India operated 1,987 flights in April, a 22% decline compared to 2,549 flights during the same month last year. This downward trend is expected to continue, with May capacity down roughly 20% year-on-year and an additional 7% cut planned for June.
North American and European routes are facing the steepest reductions. Ultra-long-haul flights connecting Delhi and Mumbai to the US East Coast, including Newark and New York, have been scaled down drastically. Routes that previously maintained double-digit weekly frequencies are now operating on significantly reduced schedules.
The airline attributes the cuts to rising global crude prices, which have widened the Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) cost gap. Combined with ongoing airspace restrictions, these factors have pushed several international routes into unprofitable territory.
Industry analysts note that Air India’s aggressive capacity rationalization mirrors a broader trend in global aviation. Carriers are increasingly prioritizing cost efficiency over route expansion as fuel prices remain volatile and geopolitical constraints affect airspace access.
Passengers traveling on affected routes are advised to check flight schedules and plan ahead, as cancellations and frequency reductions are expected to continue through the summer. Air India has pledged to communicate updates promptly and provide alternatives where possible.
