Air India cuts flights through July 2026. 100 flights across domestic and international networks will be cut. The most affected international routes include Europe, North America, Australia, and Singapore. After jacking up petrol prices and disrupting shipping lanes, the war has now reached the Indian airports.
Air India CEO Campbell Wilson confirmed the news in a message to employees. He blamed high fuel prices and restricted airspace that have led to the routes around conflict zones adding two extra hours on some flights. This has resulted in double consumption of fuel, a significant increase from February, as per Wilson.
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Seeking Urgent Govt. Support
Aviation tribune fuel prices soared to a historic high of over Rs. 2 lakh per kiloliters in April. Jet fuel now accounts for 40 percent of airline operation costs. The Federation of Indian Airlines, representing Air India, IndiGo, and SpiceJet, wrote a warning to India’s Ministry of Civil Aviation saying that unpredictable fuel pricing is making both domestic and international operations impractical. They requested urgent government support.
IndiGo and Akasa Air already introduced fuel surcharges to counterbalance the 50 percent surge in aviation turbine fuel costs. However, an Air India senior confirmed that many routes are already operating at a loss.
How it Impacts Indian Expats in UAE
The India-UAE route is one of the busiest in the world. It is the primary travel lifeline for approximately 3.5 million Indians living in the UAE. Air India and Air India Express have already suspended most of their operations to the UAE since mid-March. IndiGo followed the same to cut its UAE schedule.
As Air India cuts flights internationally, Indian expats planning to travel home are seeing fewer seats, high fares, and little-to-no scheduling flexibility. Since the end of February, due to war-risk the insurance premiums have doubled, adding to the cost of an already expensive flight.
As Etihad and Emirates flights face no cap, they offer the most dependable connectivity. They are safer options, however, the fares might climb as more demand tightens the supply.
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