Air India slashes 500+ international flights as fuel costs, airspace closures squeeze margins

Tata-owned Air India is halving Delhi-San Francisco service and trimming Europe routes through April-May, part of a broader 25% cut in Indian carriers' weekly international capacity. Globally, airlines have pulled 13,000 flights. Government approved Rs 1,500 crore ECLGS 5.0 relief; carriers added $280 fuel surcharges.

— Filed Fri, 8 May, 2026, 22:44 IST · Source Forbes India · Updated

Tata-owned Air India is slashing 500+ international flights across April-May, halving Delhi-San Francisco and trimming Europe routes, as fuel prices and West Asia airspace disruptions hit profitability. Indian carriers collectively cut 25% of weekly international capacity; government approved ECLGS 5.0 credit relief.