New Delhi: Air India on Wednesday announced a temporary rationalisation of its international flight network between June and August, citing continued airspace restrictions over certain regions and record-high jet fuel prices affecting international operations.
The airline said the adjustments have been introduced to improve operational stability and minimise last-minute inconvenience to passengers amid the challenging global aviation environment.
Despite the temporary cuts, Air India said it will continue operating more than 1,200 international flights every month across five continents.
The airline’s international schedule during the period will include 33 weekly flights to North America, 47 to Europe, 57 to the United Kingdom, eight to Australia, 158 to the Far East, Southeast Asia and SAARC regions, and seven weekly flights to Mauritius in Africa.
Several North America Routes Affected
Among the major changes, the Delhi-Chicago service will remain temporarily suspended, while flights between Delhi and San Francisco will be reduced from 10 weekly services to seven until August.
Delhi-Toronto flights will be cut from 10 weekly services to five through July before returning to daily operations from August.
Delhi-Vancouver services will also be reduced from seven weekly flights to five.
Air India said the Mumbai-Newark route will see an increase from three weekly flights to daily operations. However, Delhi-Newark and Mumbai-New York (JFK) services will be temporarily suspended, while Delhi-New York (JFK) will continue operating daily.
Europe Services Witness Frequency Cuts
In Europe, Air India has reduced frequencies on several routes from Delhi.
Flights to Paris will be reduced from 14 weekly services to seven, while Copenhagen, Vienna, Zurich, and Rome routes will each operate three weekly flights instead of four.
Delhi-Milan services will also be reduced from five weekly flights to four.
Australia Flights Reduced
Services from Delhi to both Melbourne and Sydney will be reduced from daily flights to four weekly operations through the adjustment period.
Major Reductions Across Southeast Asia and SAARC Routes
In the Far East and Southeast Asia sector, Air India announced temporary suspension of Delhi-Shanghai flights through August.
Delhi-Singapore services will be reduced from 24 weekly flights to 14, while Mumbai-Singapore flights will drop from 14 weekly operations to seven. Chennai-Singapore services will also remain suspended through August.
Flights from Delhi to Bangkok will reduce from 28 weekly services to 21 from July, while Mumbai-Bangkok services will be reduced from 13 to seven weekly flights.
The airline also announced reductions in services to Kuala Lumpur, Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Kathmandu, Dhaka, Colombo, and Malé.
Delhi-Malé and Mumbai-Dhaka services will remain temporarily suspended through August.
Airline Assures Passenger Support
Air India said passengers affected by cancellations or schedule changes would be offered alternative arrangements wherever feasible, including re-accommodation on other Air India flights, free date changes, or full refunds.
The airline added that its customer support teams and digital channels would remain available round-the-clock to assist affected passengers.
Air India said it continues to work closely with regulators, airport authorities, and industry stakeholders to restore full capacity as conditions improve, though it cautioned that additional network adjustments may be necessary if the current operating environment persists.
(DD News)