In an official press release, the airline stated that many long-haul international routes have become increasingly expensive and difficult to operate due to airspace restrictions over specific regions and record-high aviation fuel costs. To avoid sudden cancellations and operational instability, the carrier said it decided to reduce services in advance and implement a temporary schedule reshuffle.
Despite the reductions, Air India clarified that international operations remain active and extensive. The airline said it will continue operating more than 1,200 international flights every month across five continents. According to the revised schedule, the carrier will maintain 33 weekly flights to North America, 47 weekly flights to Europe, 57 weekly flights to the United Kingdom, eight weekly flights to Australia, 158 weekly flights to the Far East, Southeast Asia and SAARC destinations, along with seven weekly flights to Mauritius in Africa.
Some of the most significant changes have been introduced on North American routes. The Delhi-Chicago service has been temporarily suspended, while flights from Delhi to San Francisco, Toronto and Vancouver have been reduced. However, Air India announced that Mumbai-Newark services will now operate daily.
Several European routes have also been affected by the restructuring. Weekly flight frequencies to Paris, Rome, Zurich, Vienna, Milan and Copenhagen have been reduced for the June-August period.
Australia-bound services have witnessed major cuts as well. Both Delhi-Melbourne and Delhi-Sydney operations have been reduced from daily services to four flights per week during the temporary adjustment period.
The most extensive changes have been implemented across Asian and neighbouring destinations. Flights from Delhi to Shanghai have been suspended until August. Services on Chennai-Singapore, Mumbai-Dhaka and Delhi-Malé routes have also been temporarily halted. In addition, flight frequencies to Singapore, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Kathmandu, Colombo, Dhaka, Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City have been reduced.
Air India stated that passengers affected by cancellations or revised schedules will receive assistance directly from the airline. Travellers will be offered alternative bookings, rescheduling options or full refunds depending on ticket eligibility. The airline advised passengers to rely only on official communication channels, including its website, mobile application, customer care services and verified social media platforms, for schedule updates and travel information.
The announcement comes after widespread confusion triggered by viral social media claims alleging that Air India had cancelled all international flights until July due to a fuel shortage. The rumours caused concern among passengers travelling abroad. Air India has now dismissed those claims and clarified that the current changes are part of a temporary operational rationalisation plan rather than a complete suspension of international services.
The temporary restructuring marks one of the airline’s most significant international network adjustments in recent months, reflecting the growing pressure on global aviation operations amid rising fuel costs and airspace-related restrictions. While international connectivity continues, the revised schedules are expected to impact thousands of travellers planning overseas journeys during the peak travel season.
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