In response to mounting operational costs driven by soaring fuel prices and a dip in travel demand, major Indian airlines such as Air India, IndiGo, and Air India Express are preparing to scale back their domestic flight schedules starting in June. These adjustments come amidst ongoing regional conflicts that have further complicated operational dynamics for the carriers.
Air India plans a significant reduction of about 22% in its domestic flight frequencies as part of a temporary strategy to streamline its network. This move follows the airline’s prior cutbacks of approximately 27% in its international service operations in recent months. The airline has cited the need to counteract the effects of persistently high aviation fuel costs and other challenging conditions. Currently running around 3,600 domestic flights weekly, Air India assures that it will provide affected travelers with alternate flight options, date modifications, or refunds as needed.
Similarly, Air India Express is also slated to cut down some of its domestic services, though officials have indicated that the impact will remain under 10% of its overall network. Despite these reductions, the airline is actively working to expand its services on select domestic and international routes, making calculated adjustments to ensure capacity aligns with demand. Operating over 3,000 weekly flights, including around 500 services between India and West Asia, Air India Express remains committed to its growth strategy.
IndiGo, another major player in the Indian aviation sector, is anticipated to reduce its domestic operations by approximately 10% to 13% compared to the previous quarter, according to industry sources. This decision echoes the broader trend among Indian carriers striving to manage increased expenses amid the fluctuating economic landscape.
The persistent rise in aviation turbine fuel prices, partly due to ongoing tensions in West Asia, has significantly impacted airline operations. Additionally, the continued closure of Pakistani airspace to Indian airlines has forced carriers to adopt longer flight routes, further increasing operational costs. Industry experts suggest that airlines will remain vigilant, closely monitoring fuel prices and passenger demand before deciding on restoring previous flight frequencies.