After International Routes, Will Air India Now Reduce Flights on Domestic Routes as Well?
Tata Group-owned airline Air India has announced a reduction in the number of flights on domestic routes—following similar cuts on international routes—"in view of the high cost of aviation fuel."
An airline spokesperson stated on Wednesday that the company has decided to reduce the number of flights on select routes between June and August. "These changes have been made due to the continued impact of high fuel costs on overall operations," the spokesperson added.
Affected passengers will be offered options such as re-booking on alternative flights, fee-free date changes, or a full refund.
Earlier, Air India had announced a reduction of approximately 30 percent in its international flights between June and August. This included the complete suspension of flights on certain routes and a reduction in flight frequency on several others.
A statement issued by the spokesperson today noted that the airline will continuously monitor demand and operational conditions, and the flights will be restored to normal as soon as conditions stabilize.
Notably, the prices of aviation fuel have witnessed a sharp surge due to the disruption in crude oil production and supply in the international market caused by the crisis in the Middle East. The government has capped the monthly increase in aviation fuel prices for domestic flights operated by domestic airlines at a maximum of 25 percent. However, no such limit has been prescribed for international flights.