News Desk
Air India will scale back its international operations through June and July, as soaring aviation turbine fuel (ATF) prices and ongoing airspace restrictions make several long‑haul routes financially unviable, according to an internal communication accessed by India Today.
CEO Campbell Wilson told employees that the airline has “no choice but to trim schedules” amid mounting operational pressures .
The airline has already reduced flying in April and May, citing a “massive rise in jet fuel prices” and longer detours caused by airspace closures over conflict zones, which have pushed up costs and stretched crew and aircraft utilisation .
The memo notes that several routes have become unprofitable, forcing the carrier to temporarily cut frequencies until conditions stabilise.
The move comes days after India’s airline industry warned the government that the sector is under “extreme stress” due to the relentless rise in ATF prices. In a letter to the Civil Aviation Ministry, the Federation of Indian Airlines — representing Air India, IndiGo and SpiceJet — said the fuel surge is straining operations and threatening financial viability across carriers .
Airspace restrictions linked to geopolitical tensions have forced airlines to take longer routes, adding hours of flying time and significantly increasing fuel burn. For Air India, which operates some of the longest international routes in the world, the impact has been particularly severe.
While the airline has not released a public list of affected routes, the internal note indicates that:
- select long‑haul flights will see reduced frequency
- some routes may face temporary suspension
- schedule adjustments will continue through July
Passengers are expected to be informed of changes in advance, with rebooking options offered where necessary.
With fuel prices at record highs and airspace constraints unlikely to ease soon, India’s aviation sector is bracing for a difficult summer. For Air India, the cuts mark a strategic retreat aimed at containing losses while navigating one of the most challenging operational environments in recent years.
