$INDIGO

Air India to Restore Most Flight Services from September as Operations Stabilise Air India is set to restore most of its domestic and international flight capacity from September 2026, following several months of schedule disruptions caused by geopolitical developments, airspace restrictions, aircraft shortages, and higher operating costs. The airline has already opened bookings for most of its September services, indicating a gradual return to its planned flight schedule. The airline had reduced operations earlier this year due to the closure of Pakistani airspace and disruptions in West Asia, which resulted in longer flight routes to Europe and North America. These operational challenges increased fuel consumption, reduced aircraft utilisation, and affected overall flight schedules. According to data from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), Air India's international departures declined by 22% year-on-year during April and May, while domestic departures fell by around 5% during the same period. These figures do not include operations of Air India Express. The restoration is expected to be most significant on Air India's European network. Services on routes such as Delhi–Paris, Delhi–Copenhagen, Delhi–Milan, Delhi–Vienna, Delhi–Zurich, and Delhi–Rome, where frequencies had been reduced earlier, are expected to return to normal from September. During April and May, the airline operated nearly 2,300 fewer international departures compared with the corresponding period last year due to operational constraints. The easing of geopolitical tensions and the reopening of certain air routes are expected to support the airline's operational recovery. Fuel costs have also moderated in recent weeks. According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), average jet fuel prices declined to $127.06 per barrel in the week ended July 10, compared with $138.86 per barrel four weeks earlier, providing some relief to airline operating expenses.