Air India cancels 60 flights to US in peak season, fares likely to soar

MUMBAI: Tata Group-owned Air India (AI) has cancelled about 60 US flights scheduled for the peak travel season of Nov and Dec. Airfares on flights between India and the US are typically high this time of the year, but with the cancellations, fares are set to jump further. This increase will affect fares not only on non-stop flights between these two countries but also on flights that involve a transit halt in a third country.

Among the flights cancelled are those from Delhi to destinations such as Washington, San Francisco, Chicago, and New York, and then from Mumbai to New York, said sources. At present, AI is the only Indian carrier that operates flights between India and the US. In a statement, AI said the cancellations were made “due to the delayed return of some aircraft from heavy maintenance and supply chain constraints resulting in a temporary reduction in operating fleet”.

“Air India regrets that a small number of flights have been cancelled between now and the end of December. Affected customers have been informed and offered flights on other Air India group services operating on the same or adjacent days, a free change to any other date, or a full refund. Air India sincerely regrets the inconvenience caused by this constraint beyond our control,” said an AI spokesperson.