Air India rationalises international route network till August 2026 amid airspace curbs, high fuel costs

Air India on Wednesday announced a temporary rationalisation of several international routes between June and August 2026, citing continued airspace restrictions across certain regions and record-high jet fuel prices impacting international operations.

In an official statement, the Tata Group-owned airline said the changes are aimed at improving network stability and reducing last-minute inconvenience to passengers. Despite the reductions, Air India said it will continue operating more than 1,200 international flights every month across five continents.

The airline said its international operations during the period will include 33 weekly flights to North America, 47 weekly flights to Europe, 57 weekly flights to the UK, eight weekly flights to Australia, 158 weekly flights to the Far East, Southeast Asia and SAARC regions, and seven weekly flights to Mauritius.

Under the revised schedule, several routes will see frequency cuts while a few services will be temporarily suspended.

North America routes affected

Air India has temporarily suspended the Delhi–Chicago service. Delhi–San Francisco flights will reduce from 10 weekly services to seven till August, while Delhi–Toronto flights will reduce from 10 weekly to five weekly through July before returning to daily operations from August.

Delhi–Vancouver flights will be reduced from seven weekly services to five. Meanwhile, Mumbai–Newark flights will increase from three weekly services to daily operations.

However, Delhi–Newark and Mumbai–New York (JFK) services will remain temporarily suspended, while Delhi–New York (JFK) will continue operating daily.

Europe operations scaled down

The airline has reduced Delhi–Paris flights from 14 weekly services to seven. Services to Copenhagen, Vienna, Zurich and Rome will reduce from four weekly flights to three each, while Delhi–Milan flights will reduce from five weekly services to four.

Australia frequencies reduced

Flights from Delhi to both Melbourne and Sydney will reduce from daily operations to four weekly services through August.

Southeast Asia and SAARC network impacted

Delhi–Shanghai services have been temporarily suspended till August. Flights to Singapore from Delhi will reduce from 24 weekly services to 14, while Mumbai-Singapore services will reduce from 14 weekly flights to seven. Chennai–Singapore operations will also remain suspended through August.

Delhi-Bangkok flights will reduce from 28 weekly services to 21 from July, while Mumbai–Bangkok flights will reduce from 13 weekly services to seven.

Other affected routes include Kuala Lumpur, Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Kathmandu, Dhaka, Colombo and Malé. Mumbai-Dhaka and Delhi-Malé services will remain suspended through August.

Air India said affected passengers will be offered alternative feasible flights, complimentary date changes or full refunds, depending on eligibility. The airline added that its 24x7 customer support and digital channels remain available for assistance.

The carrier further said it is working with regulators, airport authorities and industry partners to restore full capacity as conditions improve, though additional network adjustments may be made if the extraordinary operating environment continues.