Travel chaos ahead? Air India to cut flights; what it means for you
Air India Flight Cuts 2026: Air India has decided to scale down its domestic and international flight operations as the airline grapples with mounting operational expenses triggered by rising fuel prices.
According to sources, the airline is likely to reduce its domestic flight services by nearly 20 to 22 per cent, while international operations have already witnessed a cut of around 27 per cent. The move comes as the financially strained carrier attempts to streamline operations amid increasing cost pressures.
At present, Air India operates nearly 4,400 flights every week, including around 3,600 domestic services and approximately 800 international flights.
In an official statement issued on Wednesday, the airline said it would continue with the earlier announced changes to select international routes between June and August 2026. During the same period, the airline has also temporarily rationalised operations on certain domestic sectors by reducing flight frequencies on selected routes.
The airline stated that the decision was taken after evaluating the continued impact of elevated fuel prices on overall operations. It added that the situation is being closely monitored and services may be restored once operational conditions stabilise.
Air India also assured passengers affected by the revised schedule that they would receive assistance through alternative flight arrangements, complimentary rescheduling options or full refunds in accordance with applicable rules.
The reduction in services is expected to affect several routes across the airline’s domestic network, though the company has not yet disclosed route-specific details.
- With inputs from agencies
