Air India slashes 22% domestic and 27% international flights as fuel costs bite

Carrier trims weekly schedule to 4,400 flights, citing high fuel costs and operational pressures. The cuts signal margin strain across Indian aviation and could tighten capacity on key routes heading into peak travel season.

— Source publishedThu, 28 May, 2026, 07:00 IST·First seen Thu, 28 May, 2026, 07:04 IST·Source The Hindu BusinessLine

What happened

Air India · SC upholds retrospective 28% GST on online gaming, pressuring margins on Rs 1 lakh crore notices. Cabinet extends SARTHAK-PDS with ₹25,530 crore

Key facts

  • 28% GST
  • Rs 1 lakh crore showcause notices
  • ₹25,530 crore PDS outlay
  • 22% domestic flight cut
  • 27% international flight cut
  • 4,400 weekly flights

Why this matters

Freed slots and weakened competitor positioning open a window to negotiate route swaps, codeshare expansions, or selective capacity pickups in peak-season corridors.