Air India, the flag carrier of India, has decided to reduce its long-haul schedule through July 2026 as escalating fuel prices and airspace constraints place sustained pressure on operating margins.
In a message to employees, Chief Executive Officer Campbell Wilson said the airline had already scaled back some flying in April and May, but deteriorating operating conditions have forced additional reductions in the coming months. According to the CEO, higher fuel prices, combined with longer routings caused by restricted airspace, have significantly weakened route economics across Air India’s international network.
The cuts will affect a total of 100 key international services linking India with Europe and North America, as well as several routes to Australia and Asia.
The operational disruption is being driven by a combination of cost escalation and geopolitical restrictions. Aviation turbine fuel prices have climbed sharply in recent months as global oil prices continue to change unpredictably, and concerns have grown over supply disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz.
At the same time, restricted access to parts of West Asian airspace has forced airlines to reroute flights. This adds up to two extra hours on some flights between Europe and Asia, and increases fuel consumption, crew costs, and total flight time. These factors have reduced already low profits on long-haul flights. According to the Air India CEO, some routes no longer make money in the current situation, leaving the airline with little choice but to cut flights to limit losses.
However, if the current geopolitical tensions ease and overflight routes reopen, services could be restored relatively quickly.
