Air India suspends multiple Gujarat flights amid rising ATF costs

Air India is temporarily suspending several flights connecting Gujarat with Delhi and Mumbai as rising aviation turbine fuel (ATF) prices and higher operational costs force the carrier to rationalise parts of its domestic network. The move will affect services from Vadodara and Rajkot during June and July, reducing direct connectivity during the monsoon travel season.

According to revised schedules reported by DeshGujarat, the airline has suspended multiple routes as part of a broader operational restructuring aimed at managing escalating fuel expenses.

Vadodara routes face temporary reduction

The largest impact in central Gujarat will be felt on the Delhi to Vadodara corridor, where Air India is suspending two direct services for extended periods.

The affected flights include:

• Flight AI-2866/2867 between Delhi and Vadodara, suspended from 1 June to 31 July 2026
• Flight AI-1701/1808 on the same route, suspended from 1 July to 31 July 2026

The temporary withdrawal of these services is expected to reduce the number of direct travel options available between the two cities during a peak seasonal period that includes business, leisure and family travel demand.

Rajkot connectivity also impacted

Air India is also scaling back operations at Hirasar Airport in Rajkot, suspending both Delhi and Mumbai services during parts of June and July.

According to the revised operational schedule:

• Flight AI-885 between Delhi and Hirasar will remain suspended from 2 June to 4 July and again from 9 July to 31 July 2026
• The return service, AI-886, will also remain suspended during the same periods
• Mumbai to Hirasar service AI-2730 and return flight AI-2731 will remain suspended from 1 June to 31 July 2026

The suspension of the morning Rajkot to Delhi flight and evening Rajkot to Mumbai service is expected to affect passenger convenience and regional business travel connectivity across Saurashtra.

Fuel prices continue to pressure airline operations

The airline’s decision reflects broader financial pressures facing carriers amid fluctuating aviation fuel prices and rising operating costs.

ATF remains one of the largest cost components for airlines operating in India, alongside airport charges, aircraft leasing expenses and maintenance costs. Airlines have increasingly adjusted schedules, redeployed aircraft and reviewed network profitability to protect margins in a volatile operating environment.

Industry observers have noted that airlines often reassess route economics during periods of weaker seasonal demand or elevated fuel costs, particularly on sectors where passenger loads or yields may not sufficiently offset operational expenses.

Temporary cuts highlight network optimisation trend

The Gujarat route suspensions also underline a wider industry trend in which carriers are prioritising route optimisation and cost discipline amid uncertain market conditions.

While the suspensions are currently scheduled for the monsoon period only, the temporary cuts are likely to reduce direct connectivity for passengers travelling between Gujarat, Delhi and Mumbai over the next two months.

The developments come as Indian airlines continue balancing expansion plans with profitability pressures in one of the world’s fastest-growing aviation markets.