🛫 Air India Cuts Domestic Network by 5%: Which Routes Are Affected and What It Means for Flyers
Air India has announced a 5% reduction in its domestic flight network, citing fleet realignment, operational restructuring, and low demand on select routes. The move, which comes as part of the airline’s ongoing transformation under Tata Group ownership, will affect key metro and regional routes, especially during non-peak hours.
Industry insiders say this realignment is temporary and strategic, with an eye on improving profitability and on-time performance.
📉 Key Routes Affected by the Cutback
While a full list hasn’t been released, sources indicate that routes with low load factors and overlapping frequencies are being pruned. Some of the affected sectors include:
Delhi–Dehradun
Mumbai–Indore
Bengaluru–Vishakhapatnam
Hyderabad–Jaipur
Flights during late evenings and early mornings are more likely to be affected than prime-time operations.
✈️ Why Is Air India Reducing Its Network?
Several factors have contributed to this decision:
Fleet Optimization: The airline is temporarily grounding certain aircraft for maintenance and reconfiguration.
Demand Shifts: Some regional routes haven’t recovered to pre-COVID levels.
Punctuality Goals: A trimmed network allows better rotation of crew and aircraft, reducing delays.
Focus on International Expansion: More aircraft are being redirected to strengthen long-haul international operations, especially to North America and Europe.
📈 Who Stands to Benefit?
Air India's cutback opens a window of opportunity for competitors like IndiGo, Akasa Air, and Vistara, who could expand their presence on the now-vacant routes.
Passengers might see a spike in fares on affected sectors due to reduced seat supply, especially on short notice.
🔮 What’s Next for Air India?
Air India is expected to unveil a refreshed domestic and international schedule by the end of this quarter. This will likely coincide with new aircraft inductions, route partnerships, and enhanced service offerings under its ongoing modernization plan.
❓ FAQs
Q1: Why is Air India cutting its domestic routes by 5%?
The reduction is aimed at optimizing operations, managing underperforming routes, and improving overall efficiency and punctuality.
Q2: Which routes are most affected?
Routes with low passenger demand and off-peak timings such as Delhi–Dehradun and Mumbai–Indore are reportedly affected.
Q3: Will this affect Air India’s international flights?
No. In fact, some of the domestic aircraft are being redirected to boost international capacity, especially on transcontinental routes.
Q4: How does this impact passengers?
Some passengers may need to reschedule or reroute their journeys. Refunds and alternate bookings are being facilitated by Air India.
Q5: Are other airlines expected to take over these routes?
Yes. Carriers like IndiGo and Akasa Air are likely to increase frequency on some affected routes to fill the gap.
Published on: June 23, 2025
Uploaded by: Pankaj
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