Air India to suspend Delhi-Washington DC flights from September 1

Air India announced on Monday that it will suspend its Delhi-Washington DC flights starting September 1, citing a combination of operational factors affecting its overall route network. The suspension comes amid a fleet retrofit program and ongoing challenges in its long-haul operations.

According to the airline, the primary reason for suspending the Delhi-Washington service is the planned shortfall in Air India’s fleet. The airline began retrofitting 26 Boeing 787-8 aircraft last month as part of an extensive upgrade program aimed at



significantly enhancing customer experience. This retrofit requires multiple aircraft to be unavailable for service until at least the end of 2026, impacting Air India’s capacity on long-haul routes.

Another factor contributing to the suspension is the continued closure of Pakistani airspace, which forces Air India to take longer flight routes. This results in increased operational complexity and challenges in maintaining reliable schedules. “The decision ensures the reliability and integrity of Air India’s overall route network,” the airline stated.