Air India cuts Europe flights in network rejig, adds services to Australia

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The network changes are taking place amid a rise in jet fuel price and continued closure of Pakistan airspace that has escalated costs for the airline

By Aneesh Phadnis

Updated - October 16, 2026 at 07:13 PM.

Air India is cutting flights to Europe in a network rejig that also adds frequencies to Australia and Japan in its winter schedule.

The network changes come amid rising jet fuel prices and the continued closure of Pakistan airspace, which has raised costs for the airline.

In its winter schedule, Air India is suspending its non-stop flights from Delhi to Copenhagen and Vienna. Frequencies to Birmingham, London (Gatwick), and San Francisco are being reduced as part of a network overhaul. Vienna will continue as a technical stop for select US/Canada flights.

Meanwhile, Air India will enhance connectivity to Australia. Frequency on the Delhi-Sydney route will increase from seven to eleven flights per week. This will add around 170,000 extra seats annually to the Sydney market, giving passengers more choice and strengthening connections between Australia, India, the UK and Europe.

On Thursday, Air India announced flights between Delhi and Osaka. The four-weekly service will begin next February, further increasing connectivity between India and Japan, the airline said. Osaka will be Air India’s second destination in Japan after Tokyo (Haneda), which is served from Delhi and Mumbai.

An executive said the airline is reviewing its network amid a tough operating environment. “We are looking at routes on a case by case basis. Decisions on continuing a route or withdrawing service are being taken in view of high aviation turbine fuel prices and continued airspace closures,” he added..

Published on October 15, 2026

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