Air India cuts international operations by 27%; U.S, Europe travel to be affected severely — how it will affect your travel plans
Air India has announced a temporary 27 per cent reduction in its international operations, a move expected to significantly affect passengers travelling to the United States, Canada, Europe, Australia and Southeast Asia during the peak summer travel season.
The airline said the reductions were necessary due to rising fuel prices, longer flight routes caused by West Asia airspace restrictions and increasing operational costs linked to the ongoing geopolitical crisis in the region.
For travellers, the announcement could mean fewer direct flights, higher ticket prices, limited seat availability and possible disruptions to travel plans over the next three months.
Despite the cuts, Air India said it will continue operating nearly 1,200 international flights every week across five continents.
How will it affect your travel plans?
Passengers travelling to North America and Europe are likely to face the biggest impact, particularly students heading abroad for higher studies, NRIs returning overseas after holidays and tourists planning summer vacations.
With several direct flights either suspended or reduced, travellers may have to:
- Book tickets much earlier than usual
- Pay higher fares on remaining flights
- Depend on connecting flights through other cities
- Face schedule changes or longer layovers
- Consider alternate departure airports
Travel industry observers say fares on busy routes to the U.S., Canada and Europe could rise sharply as seat availability tightens during the summer rush.
Air India has advised passengers to regularly check their booking status and monitor updates before departure.
Major impact on North America routes
Among the biggest changes are reductions across Air India’s North American network.
The airline has temporarily suspended the Delhi-Chicago route, affecting passengers travelling to the American Midwest.
Delhi-San Francisco flights have been reduced from 10 weekly services to seven weekly flights until August, while Delhi-Toronto operations have been cut from 10 weekly flights to five through July.
Flights between Delhi and Vancouver have also been reduced from daily operations to five weekly services.
Meanwhile, Delhi-Newark and Mumbai-New York (JFK) services will be temporarily suspended.
However, the airline has increased Mumbai-Newark flights from three weekly services to daily operations, suggesting a strategic shift toward routes with stronger demand and better operational feasibility.
Delhi-New York (JFK) flights will continue operating daily.
For passengers, the changes could result in fewer non-stop travel options to the United States and Canada, forcing many to depend on alternate routings or transit hubs.
Europe travellers may face higher fares
Air India’s European network has also witnessed multiple frequency reductions.
The Delhi-Paris route, which currently operates twice daily, will now run only once daily, reducing weekly operations from 14 flights to seven.
Other affected European destinations include:
- Copenhagen: reduced from four to three weekly flights
- Milan: reduced from five to four weekly flights
- Vienna: reduced from four to three weekly flights
- Zurich: reduced from four to three weekly flights
- Rome: reduced from four to three weekly flights
The reductions are expected to affect Indian tourists travelling to France, Italy and Switzerland during the busy summer holiday season.
Travel experts warn that reduced capacity may place upward pressure on fares, especially for last-minute bookings.
Australia-bound students may face difficulties
Flights from Delhi to Melbourne and Sydney will be reduced from daily services to four weekly flights between June and August.
The cuts are expected to affect Indian students travelling for university admissions and professionals planning travel to Australia during the upcoming academic intake season.
Passengers may also face limited seat availability closer to departure dates.
Southeast Asia connectivity reduced
Several Southeast Asian routes have also been affected.
The Delhi-Shanghai route will remain suspended through August, while Chennai-Singapore services have also been temporarily halted.
Delhi-Singapore flights have been reduced from 24 weekly services to 14, while Mumbai-Singapore operations have been cut from 14 weekly flights to seven.
Thailand-bound passengers will also see fewer options. Delhi-Bangkok flights will reduce from 28 weekly operations to 21, while Mumbai-Bangkok services will drop from 13 weekly flights to seven.
Other affected routes include:
- Delhi-Kuala Lumpur: reduced from 10 weekly flights to five
- Delhi-Ho Chi Minh City: reduced from seven weekly flights to four
- Delhi-Hanoi: reduced from five weekly flights to four
Nepal, Bangladesh, Maldives routes also hit
In the SAARC region, flights to Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and the Maldives have also witnessed reductions.
Delhi-Kathmandu operations will fall from 42 weekly flights to 21 by August, while Delhi-Dhaka flights have been reduced from daily services to four weekly operations.
Mumbai-Dhaka services have been temporarily suspended.
Flights between Delhi and Malé have also been halted until August due to maintenance activities, affecting Indian tourists planning Maldives holidays during the monsoon season.
What passengers should do now
Air India said affected passengers would be accommodated on alternate flights wherever possible. Eligible passengers may also receive complimentary rescheduling or full refunds under applicable conditions.
Travellers with upcoming international trips are advised to:
- Check booking status regularly
- Avoid last-minute ticket purchases
- Reach airports early in case of schedule changes
- Monitor airline notifications closely
- Consider flexible travel dates where possible
Airspace restrictions over parts of West Asia and Eastern Europe continue to force airlines to take longer routes, increasing fuel consumption, crew duty hours and operational expenses across the aviation sector.
