Air India Plans to Cut About 100 Flights a Day as Fuel Costs Rise

Air India is preparing to reduce its flight operations significantly, with plans to cancel around 100 domestic and international flights each day as costs continue to climb.

According to airline officials, the move comes as higher aviation turbine fuel prices and disruptions linked to the Middle East crisis put fresh pressure on the carrier’s finances. The airline says several long haul routes have become difficult to sustain because of longer flying times and restricted airspace.

Air India has said passengers affected by the cuts will be offered refunds, revised travel schedules, and other support to limit inconvenience. Flight timings are being adjusted as the airline works through the changes.

In an internal message to employees, Air India CEO Campbell Wilson said the airline had already reduced some services in April and May, and that further cuts could follow in June and July. He explained that airspace restrictions, longer diversions, and a sharp rise in jet fuel costs have made a number of international flights unprofitable.

Wilson also said the airline had tried to offset some of the pressure by increasing fares and adding fuel surcharges. However, he noted that there is only so much airlines can charge before passengers begin to hold back on travel.

The broader problem is tied to instability in the Middle East. The conflict has pushed up fuel prices and affected major air routes, forcing airlines to take longer paths to reach their destinations. That has led to more fuel burn and higher operating expenses.

The issue is not limited to Air India. The Federation of Indian Airlines, which includes IndiGo and SpiceJet, has recently urged the government to step in and help manage aviation fuel prices. In a communication to authorities, the industry warned that airlines are under severe financial strain and may struggle to maintain operations without urgent support.

While Air India is cutting flights to contain losses, IndiGo appears to be taking a different route. The airline is continuing to expand its international presence by leasing aircraft from Norse Atlantic Airways for European services and bringing back some routes affected by the Middle East disruption.

Aviation analysts say the combination of high fuel prices and geopolitical uncertainty could make air travel more expensive and less flexible in the months ahead. Although airlines are not rushing to impose major fare increases right now, the pressure on the sector is clearly growing.

Air India’s decision is one of the clearest signs yet of how deeply global tensions and fuel costs are affecting the aviation industry, and more schedule changes across the sector may follow if conditions do not improve.