Air India will suspend several international flights for three months from June as rising jet fuel prices, driven by the ongoing Middle East crisis, continue to pressure airline operations.
The cuts are expected to be imposed on key long-haul routes from Delhi, including Chicago, Newark, Singapore, and Shanghai. Services to destinations such as San Francisco, Paris, and Toronto are also reportedly in line for reductions as the carrier moves to contain costs amid worsening market conditions.
The decision comes at a challenging time for the Tata Group-owned airline, which is already facing financial pressure, restructuring efforts, and broader global uncertainty. Air India chief executive Campbell Wilson had previously indicated that his airline would scale back international operations due to higher fuel expenses linked to geopolitical tensions.
Reports suggest that around 100 daily flights have been cut back overall, as part of wider operational adjustments. The company, co-owned by Singapore Airlines, is also tightening internal controls and reducing costs across departments as part of its turnaround strategy.
Global energy markets reacted quickly to the attacks on Iranian nuclear and military facilities. Oil prices have surged, gas prices are rising, and one of the most important maritime corridors on the planet—the Strait of Hormuz—has again become a flashpoint for global trade.
Air India’s problems will also intensify with the now pending publication, by India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau, of the final report on the crash of London-bound Air India flight AI‑171.
