Bhubaneswar: Air India has announced a reduction of nearly 100 international flight services through July 2026 amid mounting operational pressures caused by rising jet fuel prices and extended flight routes linked to the ongoing crisis in West Asia.
Air India CEO Campbell Wilson said the airline has been compelled to rationalise several long-haul operations as soaring aviation fuel costs, foreign exchange pressures and airspace detours have significantly impacted profitability.
Industry estimates indicate that jet fuel prices have risen by more than 30 per cent following escalating geopolitical tensions in the region.
The airline’s North American network will witness frequency reductions ranging between 10 and 30 per cent on routes connecting cities such as New York City, Toronto, San Francisco and Chicago.
In Europe, services to major hubs including London, Paris and Frankfurt are also expected to be affected.
The airline has similarly reduced frequencies on long-haul routes to Sydney, Melbourne and Singapore, with some services seeing cuts of up to 30 per cent.
Air India has also trimmed parts of its domestic network, with the overall reduction estimated at around 10 per cent of its total operations. Passengers are likely to face higher fares and additional fuel surcharges as airlines attempt to offset rising operational costs.
The changes are being implemented gradually from late May and June onwards, with certain routes such as Delhi-Nairobi reportedly suspended temporarily.
Industry observers noted that other Indian carriers, including IndiGo and Vistara, are also facing similar cost pressures due to elevated fuel prices and restricted international air corridors.
-OdishaAge
