Airlines slash domestic flights as fuel costs soar

India’s aviation sector is entering a turbulent summer as major airlines reduce domestic operations amid rising fuel expenses and weaker travel demand.

IndiGo, Air India, and Air India Express will collectively withdraw nearly 250 flights daily starting in June.

The reductions are expected to continue through August, affecting passengers during the busy holiday season.

Consequently, travellers may face fewer options, crowded flights, and higher ticket prices across major routes.

Air India plans to cut nearly 22% of its domestic operations during June and July. The airline currently runs around 500 daily domestic services.

Therefore, passengers could see nearly 110 fewer flights every day.

Meanwhile, IndiGo will reduce its domestic capacity by 5-7%. Since the airline operates about 2,200 daily flights, the decision translates into nearly 110 daily cancellations.

Air India Express is also trimming around 10% of its domestic network.

Mumbai, Delhi, and Bengaluru will experience the biggest impact. These cities serve as key aviation hubs and connect major business and leisure destinations.

As a result, passengers travelling during peak hours may face increased congestion and limited seat availability.

Several popular sectors are already witnessing reduced frequencies. Flights from Mumbai to Jaipur, Goa, Hyderabad, Chennai, Ahmedabad, and Patna are among those affected.

Similarly, routes from Delhi to Goa, Bengaluru, Kolkata, Kochi, and Lucknow are seeing fewer services.

The primary reason behind the cuts is the sharp rise in aviation turbine fuel prices. Domestic ATF costs have reportedly increased by nearly 25%.

Furthermore, tensions in West Asia have pushed international fuel prices even higher.

Fuel remains one of the largest expenses for airlines. Therefore, carriers are attempting to control operational costs by reducing less profitable services.

In addition, travel demand appears to have softened after the peak summer rush.

The reductions are already affecting passengers financially. Airfares on several domestic routes have increased by almost 30% in recent weeks.

Airlines have also introduced fuel surcharges ranging between ₹400 and ₹450 per passenger.

Industry experts believe ticket prices may rise further because fewer seats are available on high-demand routes.

Travellers flying between Mumbai, Delhi, and Bengaluru could face the steepest fare increases over the next few months.

Despite the temporary disruption, airlines have indicated that services may return once fuel prices stabilise and travel demand improves.

Image Credit: Md Shaifuzzaman Ayon, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Image Reference: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Air_India_Boeing_787-8_Dreamliner_VT-ANP_Mahatma_Gandhi_Livery.jpg