Air India to cut nearly 100 flights till July amid fuel surge, airspace curbs

Air India will temporarily scale back close to 100 domestic and international flights through July, as rising costs and operational challenges continue to strain the airline's finances.

The move comes amid a sharp surge in jet fuel prices and ongoing airspace restrictions, which have made several international routes increasingly expensive to operate. Many long-haul flights are now taking longer routes due to geopolitical tensions, significantly increasing fuel consumption and costs.

Air India CEO and Managing Director Campbell Wilson informed employees on Friday that the airline had already reduced some international operations in April and May. He confirmed that further cuts will now extend into June and July due to worsening conditions.

"We have reduced some flying for April and May... the massive rise in jet fuel prices, along with airspace closures and longer flying routes, has made many international flights unprofitable," Wilson said in an internal message.

According to reports, Air India currently operates around 1,100 flights daily. The latest cuts will primarily impact routes to Europe, North America, Australia, and Singapore. Several flights have already been diverted due to restricted airspace linked to ongoing conflicts, leading to longer travel times and higher fuel burn.

Wilson acknowledged the difficult situation, stating that these combined factors have created a challenging operating environment, leaving the airline with little choice but to further trim schedules.

"We regret the disruption to our customers' travel plans and our crew's rosters, and hope the Middle East situation stabilises — and the Strait of Hormuz reopens — so we can return to normal operations," he added.

The airline is already under financial pressure, with jet fuel prices jumping to $179.46 per barrel in the week ending April 24 — an 80% increase from $99.40 at the end of February. The Air India Group is estimated to have reported a loss of around ₹22,000 crore for the financial year ending March 31, 2026.

Wilson has also announced that he will step down from his role later this year.

(With inputs from IANS)