Air India, under Tata Group ownership, is canceling around 60 flights on its India-US routes in November and December due to aircraft maintenance issues, according to airline sources. This decision comes at a time when travel between India and the United States is at a high, typically spiking during the holiday season. The cancellations, involving critical routes to major US destinations like San Francisco and Chicago, have raised concerns for travelers, many of whom are now facing a scramble for alternative options in an already constrained market.
The cancellations are primarily a result of aircraft being out of service due to both scheduled and unscheduled maintenance requirements, which has placed significant strain on the airline’s fleet capacity. An Air India source emphasized that these maintenance needs have disrupted fleet availability to the point where the cancellations became unavoidable, despite efforts to manage the situation. This development reflects some of the broader challenges faced by Air India as it undergoes an extensive fleet overhaul and modernization program. However, the immediate implications are felt most acutely by passengers who have had flights disrupted on these heavily trafficked routes.
The routes affected include the key hubs of San Francisco and Chicago, which serve as important transit points for Air India’s network in the United States. Both destinations see substantial demand from Indian travelers visiting friends and family, business travelers, and students. With the current cancellations, many travelers are left navigating limited rebooking options and longer wait times for assistance. Passengers holding tickets on these routes are encouraged to proactively check their flight status, given the last-minute nature of some of these changes.
Air India has faced challenges over the years with a legacy fleet in need of significant refurbishment, and the current maintenance-related cancellations underscore the operational difficulties of running a long-haul network while simultaneously addressing fleet readiness. The airline’s ongoing fleet renewal process, which includes orders for hundreds of new Boeing and Airbus jets, aims to rectify these capacity constraints in the long term. However, these new aircraft are not expected to enter service immediately, making fleet availability a critical issue in the interim.
Air India’s management is aware of the impact of these disruptions and is reportedly working to accommodate affected travelers. Although the precise number of passengers affected remains undisclosed, Air India has stated it will assist with rebooking on alternative flights or issue refunds as needed. For those traveling on essential routes with limited alternate options, this has led to frustration and uncertainty, especially since peak-season travel demand usually drives up prices for last-minute bookings.
The situation also highlights the difficulties airlines face in maintaining high-capacity long-haul routes while balancing aircraft maintenance and operational needs. Air India’s strategy has been to increase its share of long-haul international travel, particularly on high-demand routes to North America, where it competes with both Indian and foreign carriers. As the airline seeks to reestablish itself as a major player in the global aviation market, disruptions like these can have a ripple effect on customer loyalty and market share, which are crucial for its growth trajectory under the Tata Group’s stewardship.
In light of these cancellations, passengers are advised to stay in close contact with Air India’s customer service team for updates on their travel status. The airline is expected to continue updating its customers as it works to address this temporary but critical gap in aircraft availability.