Air India to restore cut international flights from September 1 after fuel crisis
Air India is set to restore most of the international flights it had reduced earlier this year, with services scheduled to resume from September 1.
The airline had cut several international flights between June and August amid continued airspace restrictions over certain regions and record-high jet fuel prices.
The reductions affected services to North America, Europe, Southeast Asia, SAARC countries and the Far East.
With fuel prices now moderating from their earlier peak, Air India plans to bring back many of the suspended services while also increasing frequencies on several international routes.
Fuel prices ease, flights return
Air India CEO Campbell Wilson said the airline was now in a position to restore services as fuel costs had eased, although prices remained higher and volatile.
"Though fuel prices remain higher than before the Middle East conflict and remain volatile, they have moderated from their initial peak, so as well as the restorations we will be adding additional frequencies," Wilson said in an internal memo, according to The Hindu.
The airline's decision comes after months of operational pressure caused by higher fuel costs and airspace restrictions.
More flights to Europe, US, Asia
Air India will increase frequencies on several international routes during the upcoming winter travel season, which begins towards the end of October.
The airline plans to add more flights to Milan, Frankfurt, Zurich, Vienna, Melbourne, Tokyo and New York.
It will also introduce a new seasonal service between Mumbai and Toronto, giving passengers another direct connection between India and Canada.
Air India had cut flights earlier
In May, Air India announced that it would continue operating more than 1,200 international flights despite the reductions.
At the time, the airline was operating 33 flights a week to North America, 47 to Europe, 57 to the UK and eight to Australia.
It was also operating 158 weekly flights to destinations across the Far East, Southeast Asia and SAARC countries, besides seven weekly flights to Mauritius.
The restoration of services from September, followed by additional frequencies during the winter schedule, is expected to significantly expand Air India's international network.
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