Canada ( Rajeev Sharma): Air India has announced that it will discontinue its direct flights between New Delhi and Washington, D.C., effective September 1, 2025, citing reduced aircraft availability and continued airspace restrictions as primary reasons. This decision will result in the termination of the only direct air link between the two capitals operated by an Indian carrier.
The suspension is attributed to a planned shortage in the airline’s long-haul fleet, with 26 Boeing 787-8 aircraft undergoing an extensive retrofit program. These upgrades, aimed at enhancing passenger comfort and experience, include modern seating, updated in-flight entertainment systems, and refreshed cabin interiors. The retrofit program is expected to last until at least late 2026, with several aircraft out of service at various times, necessitating changes to Air India’s global route network.
The operational challenges have been exacerbated by the continued closure of Pakistan’s airspace to Indian-registered carriers, resulting from a deterioration in bilateral relations following a deadly incident in Jammu and Kashmir. This has led to longer and less efficient routings for several long-haul services, increasing fuel burn and flight times.
According to industry estimates, this has resulted in an additional cost burden of approximately USD 600 million over 12 months. Given these constraints, the Delhi-Washington route, already one of Air India’s more resource-intensive operations, has been deemed unsustainable for the time being.
The route suspension comes amidst increased regulatory scrutiny following the crash of a Boeing aircraft operated by Air India in Ahmedabad in June 2025, which resulted in the loss of 260 lives. However, it is essential to emphasize that the suspension of the route is unrelated to this incident.
Passengers booked to travel after September 1 will be offered alternative arrangements, which may involve stopovers at major U.S. hubs such as New York (JFK), Newark (EWR), Chicago (ORD), or San Francisco (SFO). These arrangements will be facilitated through Air India’s partnerships with Alaska Airlines, United Airlines, and Delta Air Lines, allowing customers to travel on a single ticket with baggage checked through to Washington, D.C. Despite the suspension, Air India will continue operating non-stop flights between India and six other North American cities, including Toronto and Vancouver. The airline has indicated that it will reassess the Washington route once the Boeing 787-8 retrofit program is complete and regional airspace access improves.
The decision to pause the service reflects the delicate balance between operational capacity, financial sustainability, and external geopolitical realities. While one-stop options will maintain accessibility to the route for travelers, the absence of a direct link underscores the impact of infrastructure upgrades and regional tensions on international air connectivity. Air India maintains that restoring the service remains a long-term objective, contingent upon the successful completion of its fleet modernization efforts and a more favorable airspace environment.
