Air India: The country’s two largest airlines – IndiGo and Air India are going to cancel about 250 of their domestic flights daily from June. The reason behind this is the skyrocketing prices of Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF- Jet Fuel) and decline in travel demand. This is putting pressure on the functioning of the airlines.

This reduction in flights is expected to continue from June to August, i.e. even in the summer months. Generally between June and August, the demand for air travel decreases after the summer holidays in schools end. Airlines companies are taking this step to balance this decrease in demand and increased expenditure on fuel. In such a situation, if your flight gets canceled in the meantime, you will be given the option of free date change, alternative route or full refund.

Record jump in jet fuel

Amidst the war between America and Iran and the ongoing tension in the Middle East, the supply of crude oil through the Strait of Hormuz has been affected. Due to this, the price of jet fuel (ATF) has increased from Rs 80000 per kilometer to Rs 1 lakh per kilometer in many cities of India. Due to this, fuel has become costlier by about 25% for domestic flights and by almost 100% for international routes.

Which airlines are reducing flights by how much?

• Air India is cutting its domestic flights by about 22% during June and July. The airline operates around 500 domestic flights daily, and this cut would mean around 110 fewer flights per day and around 800 less per week.

  Similarly, Indigo is also going to cut its domestic flights by 5-7% and international flights by 17%. Including these two, approximately 250 flights will be canceled daily between June and August.