Blow to Air Travelers: Two Major Domestic Airlines to Drastically Cut Flights Starting June 1 Blow to Air Travelers: Two Major Domestic Airlines to Drastically Cut Flights Starting June 1 – ..

If you are planning air travel in the coming days, then this news is very important for you. The next few months may be a bit difficult and challenging for domestic air travelers in India. The country’s two largest airlines Air India and IndiGo have taken a big and tough decision to cut the number of flights on their domestic network.

According to various reports, from June 1, 2026, both the airlines will limit the number of flights on many domestic routes for the next 90 days (3 months). There are two main reasons behind this sudden cut, firstly, the record rise in the prices of aviation turbine fuel (ATF) and secondly, the general decline in passenger demand after the end of summer vacations.

Air India will reduce flights by 15% and Indigo by 7%

According to aviation sector sources, both airlines are re-adjusting their capacity according to market demand:

• Air India: Closest to its domestic flight operations Up to 15% reduction Can do.

• IndiGo: The country’s largest domestic airline IndiGo has also expanded its fleet. Flights from 5% to 7% Preparing to reduce.

Why increased pressure on airlines? Due to the ongoing geopolitical tension in West Asia (Middle East), international crude oil prices are skyrocketing. ATF prices have now crossed ₹1 lakh per kiloliter in many major cities of India, which were earlier around ₹80,000. Moreover, the different rates of VAT charged in different states have further distorted the financial calculations of the airlines, making flying on routes with less passengers proving to be a loss-making deal.

These big routes including Delhi-Mumbai will be directly affected

According to the report, flight frequencies will be reduced on many big and busy routes connected to the country’s two busiest airports, Delhi and Mumbai:

• Routes affected from Mumbai Airport: The number of flights from Mumbai to Ahmedabad, Nagpur, Patna and Bhopal can be reduced.

• Routes affected from Delhi Airport: There will be a reduction in flights running from Delhi to Bangalore, Hyderabad and Kolkata. Along with this, its direct impact can also be seen on some selected domestic routes of South India.

A matter of relief: Airlines have clarified that no route is being completely closed. Only the frequency (number) of flights is being reduced so that the operational costs can be balanced. To ensure that passengers do not have to face the hassle of reaching the airport at the last moment, canceled flights have already been removed from the booking websites.

International flights will also affect the domestic network

Experts say that the changes taking place in international flights are also affecting domestic connecting passengers. Usually, passengers from small cities used to take domestic flights to reach ‘hub airports’ like Delhi or Mumbai and from there take connecting flights abroad. But due to problems in the global network, the number of such connecting passengers has also reduced.

Will air tickets become expensive?

Aviation sector experts and analysts believe that after the opening of schools and colleges, the demand for air travel remains a bit sluggish during June to August. But this time the record prices of fuel have made the situation more serious. If ATF prices do not fall in the coming weeks, companies may increase air ticket prices by 10% to 15% to compensate for operating costs. In such a situation, it is certain that there will be additional financial burden on the pockets of passengers in the upcoming monsoon season.