New Delhi, May 13: Air India announced the temporary suspension of seven major overseas routes on Wednesday, citing rising operational costs and significant airspace restrictions. The flagship carrier stated that the move, which will take effect between June and August 2026, is a strategic measure to maintain stability and prevent last-minute travel disruptions for passengers.
The airline confirmed that long-haul services including Delhi-Chicago, Delhi-Newark, and Mumbai-New York (JFK) will be halted through August. Regional routes to Shanghai, Singapore, Dhaka, and Malé are also affected by the suspension. Air India maintained that the current “extraordinary operating environment,” marked by record-high jet fuel prices, necessitated a reevaluation of its international schedule across four continents.
“The move is aimed at improving operational stability and avoiding last-minute disruption for passengers as global aviation costs continue to rise,” the airline declared in a statement. To mitigate the impact, Air India affirmed that affected travelers will be provided with alternative flight options, free date changes, or full refunds.
Despite the cuts, the carrier noted it will continue to operate over 1,200 international flights monthly. This includes 57 weekly services to the United Kingdom and 158 flights across Southeast Asia and the SAARC region. The airline asserted that while some frequencies to cities like San Francisco, Paris, and Sydney are being reduced, it is simultaneously increasing Mumbai-Newark services to a daily schedule to balance capacity.
