Middle East conflict drives up fuel prices, Air India cuts some international routes
Due to rising fuel prices caused by the Middle East conflict and airspace restrictions, Air India announced it will reduce or suspend some international flights from June to August.
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- 📰 Published: May 13, 2026 at 22:29
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Central News Agency
(Central News Agency Mumbai 13th, comprehensive foreign wire report) Air India announced today that due to the increase in aviation fuel prices and airspace restrictions caused by the Middle East conflict, the company will reduce or suspend some international routes.
Agence France-Presse reported that the war in Iran, which erupted at the end of February, coupled with the de facto blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, has led to a surge in aviation fuel prices, not only raising concerns about airlines' profitability but also pushing up ticket prices.
Air India did not disclose the total number of affected flights but stated that between June and August, it will temporarily suspend operations on routes from Indian cities like New Delhi, Mumbai, and Chennai to Chicago, Shanghai, Male, and Singapore.
Air India added that the company will also reduce flights to San Francisco, Paris, Milan, and Sydney.
The airline mentioned in a statement that various factors have 'significantly' affected the operational feasibility of some flights.
The statement also said: 'Despite the challenges and the aforementioned adjustments, Air India will continue to operate over 1,200 international flights per month.'
The Middle East war has become the latest challenge for Air India amidst a series of recent setbacks, with its CEO having resigned in April. (Edited by Hung Pei-ying) 1150513
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Central News Agency
(Central News Agency Mumbai 13th, comprehensive foreign wire report) Air India announced today that due to the increase in aviation fuel prices and airspace restrictions caused by the Middle East conflict, the company will reduce or suspend some international routes.
Agence France-Presse reported that the war in Iran, which erupted at the end of February, coupled with the de facto blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, has led to a surge in aviation fuel prices, not only raising concerns about airlines' profitability but also pushing up ticket prices.
Air India did not disclose the total number of affected flights but stated that between June and August, it will temporarily suspend operations on routes from Indian cities like New Delhi, Mumbai, and Chennai to Chicago, Shanghai, Male, and Singapore.
Air India added that the company will also reduce flights to San Francisco, Paris, Milan, and Sydney.
The airline mentioned in a statement that various factors have 'significantly' affected the operational feasibility of some flights.
The statement also said: 'Despite the challenges and the aforementioned adjustments, Air India will continue to operate over 1,200 international flights per month.'
The Middle East war has become the latest challenge for Air India amidst a series of recent setbacks, with its CEO having resigned in April. (Edited by Hung Pei-ying) 1150513
Stand with facts, your sponsorship is the power to protect press freedom
Download the Central News Agency 'First-hand News' APP to instantly grasp the latest news
Texts, images, and videos on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, or publicly transmitted and utilized without authorization.