Air India is suspending two European routes during the winter 2026-27 season, removing a nonstop link from New Delhi to Birmingham, England, and ending its service between New Delhi and Vienna, Austria.
GDS inventory and timetable displays as reported by CAPA – Centre for Aviation show the Star Alliance carrier will suspend 4X-weekly flights between Delhi Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) and Vienna International Airport (VIE) from Oct. 31.
Air India’s 3X-weekly Delhi-Birmingham Airport (BHX) service will also be suspended from Nov. 1, with no planned resumption date currently shown. CAPA has reported that its 3X-weekly Amritsar-Birmingham route will pause for the winter 2026-27 season as well—although reservations remain available on Air India’s booking platform.
OAG Schedules Analyser data shows Air India had planned to offer approximately 91,100 two-way seats across the two Birmingham routes, an increase of 33.6% from winter 2025-26.
Sabre Market Intelligence data indicates that Birmingham generated approximately 207,300 two-way O&D passengers to and from India during 2025, down 8.3% year over year. Amritsar was the largest city market with about 81,200 passengers, followed by Delhi with 53,600.
The Vienna withdrawal will also end the only nonstop route between Austria and India—although Vienna will still be used as a technical stop for select North America flights. Sabre estimates that about 173,500 passengers traveled between Vienna and Indian cities during 2025, an increase of 11% from the previous year. Delhi accounted for approximately 68,400 passengers, followed by Mumbai with 29,600 and Bengaluru with 21,100.
The cuts form part of a wider reshaping of India-Europe capacity during a period of higher fuel costs and airspace constraints. OAG data prior to the latest Air India changes showed airlines scheduled to offer about 5.63 million two-way seats during winter 2026-27, down 6.5% from 6.02 million a year earlier.
IndiGo has also scaled back its European network after deciding to end a six-aircraft Boeing 787-9 damp-lease agreement with Norse Atlantic Airways. The airline suspended its Delhi and Mumbai routes to Manchester on Aug. 31, citing longer flight times, airspace restrictions and higher operating costs.
IndiGo will also temporarily suspend London Heathrow flights when the Norse arrangement ends, pending the arrival of its own Airbus A350-900s. Mumbai-Amsterdam will continue from Oct. 25 using a 195-seat A321XLR, but the route is being reduced to 3X-weekly.
Air India has been approached for comment on the latest network changes.
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