Following a major reduction in international services, the carrier announces a temporary capacity rationalisation on domestic routes between June and August 2026.

In a major move reflecting the deepening financial stress on the Indian aviation sector, Air India announced on Wednesday that it will cut its domestic flight operations by up to 22% between June and August 2026. The decision comes on the heels of the airline already scaling back its international network by nearly 27%, as soaring aviation turbine fuel (ATF) prices continue to pressure operational margins.

The Tata Group-owned carrier, which currently operates around 4,400 weekly flights, will see roughly 800 of its 3,600 domestic frequencies affected by this schedule revision.

Escalating operational costs hit network

In an official statement released on Wednesday afternoon, an Air India spokesperson confirmed the development, highlighting that the airline had “temporarily rationalised operations on certain domestic routes” for the upcoming summer-monsoon window.

“In continuation of our previously announced adjustments to select international services between June and August 2026, we have temporarily rationalised operations on certain domestic routes during the same period, with a reduction in frequencies on select routes,” the airline statement noted. “These adjustments are driven by the sustained impact of high fuel prices on overall operations.”

Company sources familiar with the matter indicated that while no specific domestic routes would be completely suspended, frequencies on multiple high-density sectors operating out of major hubs like Delhi and Mumbai are being trimmed down.

Jet fuel price spike changes equations

The primary catalyst behind this aggressive capacity reduction is the steep rise in global crude oil prices, heavily influenced by ongoing geopolitical tensions in West Asia and the closure of key shipping lanes like the Strait of Hormuz. For Indian carriers, jet fuel typically accounts for nearly 40% of total operating expenditures.

According to senior airline officials, Air India's ATF procurement costs have surged from an average of ₹80,000 per kilolitre to well over ₹1 lakh per kilolitre in multiple cities, heavily skewed by varying state-level value-added taxes (VAT). Operating a full domestic schedule under these pricing structures has become commercially unviable, particularly at a time when the carrier is looking to aggressively manage its bottom line after reporting a heavy net loss last fiscal.

Furthermore, the recent suspension of 145 weekly international flights has created a cascading effect, lowering the passenger demand for connecting domestic legs that funnel travellers into metropolitan hubs for overseas departures.

Relieving pressure for affected passengers

With hundreds of weekly flights set to be pulled from the system, passengers booked on the affected flights face imminent disruptions. Addressing these concerns, Air India stated that it has initiated proactive measures to minimise customer inconvenience.

The carrier has committed to offering full refunds, complimentary date modifications, or re-accommodation on alternative flights for those hit by the sudden rationalisation. Ground teams and digital customer service channels are reportedly being scaled up to handle the influx of rebooking requests before the June rollout.

Broader industry faces a tough summer

The capacity cuts at Air India are not an isolated event in the domestic skies. Industry reports indicate that India’s largest carrier, IndiGo, is also contemplating a 5% to 7% reduction in its domestic operations over the same three-month period to counter the fuel price shock.

Aviation analysts warn that this combined reduction in seat capacity by the country's top operators during the peak travel months could inevitably lead to higher ticket pricing across popular domestic circuits, leaving flyers with fewer choices and costlier bookings. Air India maintained that it will continue to closely monitor demand trends and volatile operating conditions, with an intention to restore its normal flight frequencies as soon as the global energy market stabilizes.

A Swiss plane heading to Zurich was forced to abort take-off at Delhi Airport after one of its engines failed and caught fire late on Saturday night, triggering an emergency evacuation and leaving six passengers injured. The incident involved Swiss International Air Lines flight LX147, which was scheduled to depart from Indira Gandhi International Airport for Zurich with 232 people on board, including four newborns.

According to officials, the aircraft was preparing for departure at around 1.08 am when the crew detected a technical malfunction during take-off. The pilot immediately halted the aircraft on the runway after an engine failure led to signs of fire and smoke, prompting emergency response teams to rush to the spot.

Emergency evacuation launched

Airport authorities said all passengers and crew were evacuated using emergency slides after the aircraft came to a stop on the runway. Six passengers sustained minor injuries during the evacuation process and were provided immediate medical attention.

Officials confirmed that the aircraft was carrying 232 people, including passengers, crew members and four infants. No fatalities were reported. Emergency services responded within minutes and secured the aircraft before the situation escalated further.

The swift evacuation prevented a more serious outcome, according to airport officials familiar with the response. Operations at the affected section of the runway were temporarily disrupted as emergency checks were carried out.

Smoke seen from gear

Swiss International Air Lines said in an official statement that the aircraft involved was an Airbus A330. The airline said smoke was first noticed coming from the left-side landing gear as the aircraft moved into position for take-off.

“As soon as the aircraft entered the runway for departure, smoke was observed from the left landing gear area. The take-off was immediately aborted in line with standard safety protocol,” the airline said.

The carrier added that its local teams in Delhi were assisting affected passengers and coordinating with airport authorities. It said a technical team would examine the aircraft and determine the exact cause of the malfunction.

Airline begins probe

Swiss Air said it was working closely with Indian aviation authorities to assess the incident and support passengers affected by the disruption. The airline also said its technical experts would travel to Delhi to inspect the aircraft and assist in the investigation.

Sources indicated that the aircraft has been grounded pending inspection. Passengers were moved to the terminal and alternate arrangements were being explored for onward travel to Zurich.

As per reports, airline staff remained on site through the night to coordinate accommodation, meals and rebooking support for stranded passengers.

Second incident in 10 days

The latest Delhi Airport incident marks the second major aircraft safety scare at the airport in less than two weeks. On April 16, two aircraft one operated by SpiceJet and the other by Akasa Air  were involved in a ground collision at the same airport.

In that incident, a SpiceJet aircraft arriving from Leh reportedly struck an Akasa Air aircraft that was parked and preparing for departure to Hyderabad. The collision damaged both aircraft, though all passengers were safely deboarded and no injuries were reported.

The back-to-back incidents have renewed focus on operational safety and ground handling standards at one of India’s busiest airports.

Safety under scrutiny

The latest incident is likely to draw closer regulatory attention to aircraft maintenance, runway safety and emergency response systems at Delhi Airport. While aviation officials have not indicated any systemic lapse so far, two major incidents in quick succession may prompt a broader review.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation is expected to seek a detailed report on the Swiss plane incident as part of routine safety oversight. Aviation experts say such incidents, while rare, underline the importance of rapid crew response and emergency preparedness.

What happens next

A full technical inspection of the Swiss plane is now underway, and authorities are expected to review cockpit data, maintenance logs and runway response records. Swiss Air is likely to submit its preliminary findings after the aircraft is examined in coordination with Indian authorities.

Delhi Fog Triggers Major Flight Disruptions at IGI Airport

Dense fog across parts of Northern India has severely impacted air travel, leading to widespread Delhi fog flight disruption at the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport. According to aviation authorities, at least 66 flight arrivals and 63 departures were cancelled on Saturday, causing inconvenience to thousands of passengers. In response, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) has issued a fresh weather advisory, warning travellers of further delays and disruptions.

AAI Issues Weather Advisory for Northern India

The Airports Authority of India took to social media platform X to alert passengers and airlines about deteriorating visibility conditions.

“Reduced visibility due to fog across parts of Northern India may impact flight operations at select airports, leading to possible delays or disruptions,” the AAI said in its advisory.

This AAI weather advisory comes as dense fog continues to blanket the region, particularly during early morning hours, significantly reducing runway visibility and forcing airports to activate low visibility procedures (LVP).

Why Are Flights Being Cancelled?

The primary reason behind the IGI Airport cancellations is persistent dense fog, a common winter phenomenon in North India. Over the past few days, visibility levels have dropped sharply, making safe take-offs and landings challenging despite advanced navigation systems.

Key factors behind the disruption include:

 Dense fog reducing runway visibility

 Activation of low visibility procedures at major airports

 Air traffic congestion due to delayed inbound flights

 Weather-related safety precautions by airlines

Airlines Respond: IndiGo and Air India Issue Advisories

India’s largest domestic carrier, IndiGo, has also warned passengers about possible disruptions. The airline stated that flights to and from Ranchi, Jammu, and Hindon airports may be affected due to low visibility conditions.

Air India echoed similar concerns, assuring passengers that it is actively monitoring the situation.

“Air India continues to remain vigilant and will make every effort to mitigate fog-related disruptions. We understand how important your travel plans are, especially during this holiday season,” the airline said in its statement.

Air Quality Worsens Situation in Delhi

Adding to travel woes, Delhi’s air quality deteriorated sharply on Saturday morning. Data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) showed the city’s Air Quality Index (AQI) at 384, categorised as “very poor.” Poor air quality combined with fog further complicates aviation operations, especially during peak hours.

What Passengers Should Do

Aviation experts advise travellers to stay alert and plan ahead during this period of Delhi fog flight disruption. Passengers should:

Check flight status before leaving for the airport

 Allow extra travel time due to possible delays

 Stay in touch with airlines for real-time updates

 Opt for flexible bookings where possible

Fog to Continue Impacting Air Travel

With winter conditions intensifying, fog-related disruptions are likely to continue in the coming days. The AAI and airlines remain on high alert, but passengers are advised to remain cautious and informed. As weather patterns remain unpredictable, planning ahead is key to avoiding last-minute travel stress during this fog-prone season.