New Delhi: Air India is scaling back international operations as the aviation sector grapples with rising crude oil prices above $100 per barrel and airspace restrictions caused by the ongoing conflict in West Asia.
The airline is facing a triple blow from the closure of Pakistani airspace, the falling value of the rupee, and increasing jet fuel costs. Last week, it announced plans to cancel several flights between June and August.
More than 100 international flights are being cancelled every week, with connectivity completely cut from some airports. Routes to Male, Chicago, and Shanghai are among those impacted.
The decision came a day after unconfirmed social media reports claimed Air India was suspending all foreign operations. The airline clarified that it is reducing capacity based on operational data.
Impact on passengers
Flight cancellations do not necessarily mean holidays or business trips are off. Air India has said it will actively assist affected passengers by offering seats on alternative flights, free date changes, or full refunds.
The airline has reduced flight frequencies to San Francisco, Vancouver, airports near New York, six cities in Europe, and Australia. Operations to Singapore have been cut significantly.
Flights from Mumbai to Singapore and from Chennai to Male, Chicago, Shanghai, and Dhaka have been cancelled. For Male and Shanghai, this means no direct alternative from those cities.
For Chicago, passengers can use services from Newark, New York, or San Francisco. Dhaka flights will continue from Delhi, though via a longer route. Singapore services will operate from Delhi and Mumbai.
Advice for travellers
Passengers should ensure contact details in their bookings are up to date, especially if tickets were bought through travel agents. Airlines usually notify customers directly using registered details.
Travellers are advised to evaluate offered alternatives, such as changing travel dates or using different flights on the same route. Those who have already completed part of their journey may find these options more suitable.
If none of the alternatives work and travel has not started, passengers can opt for a full refund. However, they should note that rebooking a new ticket could be significantly more expensive.
Passengers can also check options through Air India’s Star Alliance partners, which include carriers like United Airlines, Lufthansa, Air Canada, and Singapore Airlines.
Reasons behind the cuts
Air India was already under pressure after the closure of Pakistani airspace forced technical stops on North American routes. The West Asia conflict has led to the closure or heavy restriction of shorter air corridors, adding 60 to 90 minutes to European flights and even more to North American ones.
Long-haul flights have become less viable due to increased flying time and record-high jet fuel prices. The airline, which reported a loss of ₹28,000 crore last year, is reducing flights voluntarily to improve schedule reliability rather than risk last-minute cancellations.
