Air India will suspend flights between New Delhi and Washington Dulles International Airport starting in September due to a combination of operational challenges.
The decision comes as the airline continues to address the aftermath of the fatal crash of Flight AI 171 in June, alongside fleet modernization efforts and airspace restrictions.
The Star Alliance member currently operates three flights per week between the destinations using Boeing 787-8 aircraft, with a stop in Vienna on the outbound leg and a nonstop return flight, OAG Schedules Analyser data shows.
However, the route will be suspended from Sept. 1 due to a shortfall in available aircraft, following the commencement of an extensive retrofit program for 26 of its 787-8s, which began in July.
“This retrofit program, aimed at significantly enhancing the customer experience, requires the prolonged unavailability of several aircraft at any given time until at least the end of 2026,” a statement from Air India said.
Adding to the operational complexity is the continued closure of Pakistani airspace to Indian carriers, which has been in effect since April amid ongoing diplomatic tensions between India and Pakistan. This restriction forces Indian airlines to reroute flights over longer distances, increasing operational costs and reducing efficiency.
Despite the suspension of direct flights to Washington, D.C., Air India said passengers will have access to one-stop connections to the city via other U.S. gateways, including Chicago, Newark, New York and San Francisco, thanks to partnerships with airlines such as Alaska Airlines, Delta Air Lines and United Airlines.
Air India currently offers flights to seven destinations in North America, flying to Chicago O’Hare, New York JFK, Newark Liberty, San Francisco, Toronto Pearson, Vancouver and Washington Dulles. OAG data shows the airline currently provides 27,900 two-way India-North America weekly seats, down from 40,300 at this time in 2024.
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