Air India prepares for massive cancellations in June and beyond as war takes toll

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New Delhi: Air India has announced significant reductions to its international flight network starting in June 2026, citing the severe impact of the ongoing West Asia conflict and record-high aviation turbine fuel (ATF) prices.

The airline confirmed that it will suspend or reduce frequencies on 29 key international routes through August 2026. This strategic move follows a doubling of jet fuel costs and continued airspace restrictions that have made many long-haul sectors commercially unviable.

Major hubs including Singapore, Chicago, and Newark are expected to see deep cuts, with some services being eliminated entirely through the summer peak season.

Despite these drastic measures, Air India maintains that it will continue to operate over 1,200 international flights monthly to ensure global connectivity. The decision reflects a broader crisis in the Indian aviation sector, as major carriers grapple with a ‘triple threat’ of soaring operating expenses, geopolitical lockdowns, and rerouted flight paths that add up to 90 minutes to travel times.