Air India to cap international flights

One of India’s premier airlines, Air India, has decided to trim its international flights from May through July this year due to a surge in jet fuel prices and restricted airspace.

Airspace restrictions in the wake of the West Asia conflict have forced the airline to take longer routes for many international destinations, resulting in increased fuel burn.

Air India Group is estimated to have incurred over ₹22,000 crore losses in the financial year ended March 31, 2026.

The airline will scale back services to Europe, North America, Australia, and Singapore in June, according to The Economic Times.

CEO's message to staff, explaining reasons of trimming down international operations

Air India’s outgoing CEO and Managing Director Campbell Wilson, in a message to employees, said that many of the airline’s international flights have become unprofitable, and continuing operations will further increase losses.

“We have reduced some flying for April and May... A massive rise in jet fuel prices, together with airspace closures and longer flying routes, has caused many of our international flights to become unprofitable to operate,” Wilson told staff, according to news agency PTI.

He further noted that the situation remains “extremely challenging,” forcing the airline to take additional steps. “The airspace and jet fuel price situation remains extremely challenging, leaving us no choice but to further trim schedules for June and July,” he said.

Wilson added that while domestic operations have also been impacted, the effect has been relatively lower. “The profitability of domestic flights has also been significantly affected, but to a lesser degree, thanks to the government’s limitation of the domestic fuel price rise to 25%,” he said.

-Hindustan Times