Air India Cuts Nearly 100 Daily Flights Through July

Air India announced plans Friday to reduce nearly 100 flights daily through July, primarily targeting long-haul international routes made unprofitable by soaring jet fuel prices and airspace restrictions from the ongoing Middle East conflict.

CEO and Managing Director Campbell Wilson informed staff that the airline had already scaled back operations in April and May. "Massive rise in jet fuel prices which, together with airspace closures and longer flying routes, have caused many of our international flights to become unprofitable to operate," Wilson said in his message. The carrier, which operates about 1,100 flights daily, will trim services to Europe, North America, Australia and Singapore, where detours around restricted airspace have increased fuel consumption and flight times.

The reductions mark a significant contraction for the Tata Group-owned airline, privatized in 2022 after years of losses. Air India Group reported losses exceeding 22,000 crore rupees for the financial year ended March 31, 2026. Wilson, who plans to step down later this year, described the environment as extremely challenging, leaving "no alternative but to reduce schedules further through July."