New Delhi, May 14 Air India has decided to suspend several international flights for a period of three months starting June, amid a sharp rise in jet fuel prices linked to the ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, according to reports.
The reduction in international operations from Delhi is expected to impact key global routes, including destinations such as Chicago and Newark in the United States, as well as Singapore and Shanghai.
In addition, services to major cities including San Francisco, Paris, and Toronto have also been curtailed. Overall, the airline has reportedly reduced nearly 100 daily flights as part of this temporary adjustment.
Air India Chief Executive Officer Campbell Wilson recently indicated that the airline would continue scaling back international services in response to sustained increases in fuel costs driven by geopolitical uncertainties.
Amid mounting financial and operational pressures, the airline has also stepped up internal compliance and cost-control measures.
During a recent town hall meeting, Wilson informed employees that disciplinary action had been taken in cases involving misuse of the Employee Leisure Travel (ELT) system, smuggling of items from aircraft, and unauthorized allowance of excess baggage.
The stricter enforcement measures come as the airline grapples with significant financial strain. The Air India Group, which includes Air India and Air India Express, is projected to have incurred losses exceeding ₹22,000 crore in the financial year ending March 2026.
As part of its broader restructuring and turnaround strategy under the Tata Group, the airline has implemented multiple cost-saving initiatives. These include withholding annual salary increments, reducing discretionary spending, and cutting non-essential expenditures across departments.
The developments follow government data indicating a substantial rise in losses reported by Air India Express during FY25.
