Air India is cutting Europe flights while adding services to Australia and Japan in its winter schedule. The airline said, "We are looking at routes on a case by case basis." Rising fuel prices and airspace closures forced these changes. Delhi to Sydney flights will increase, and Osaka services start February.
Air India is cutting flights to Europe in a network rejig that also sees it add frequencies to Australia and Japan in the winter schedule.
The network changes are taking place amid a rise in jet fuel price and continued closure of Pakistan airspace that has escalated costs for the airline.
In winter schedule Air India is suspending it's non stop flights from Delhi to Copenhagen and Vienna. Frequencies to Birmingham, London (Gatwick) and San Francisco are being reduced as a part of network overhaul. Vienna will continue as a technical stop for select US/Canada flights.
On the other hand Air India's connectivity to Australia will be enhanced. Frequency on Delhi - Sydney route will increase from seven to eleven flights per week. This will add around 170,000 extra seats annually to the Sydney market, giving passengers more choice and strengthening connections between Australia, India, the UK and Europe.
On Thursday, Air India announced flights between Delhi - Osaka. The four weekly service will begin next February further increasing connectivity between India and Japan, the airline said. Osaka will be Air India's second destination in Japan after Tokyo (Haneda) which is served from Delhi and Mumbai.
An executive said the airline management is reviewing it's network in view of tough operating environment. "We are looking at routes on a case by case basis. Decisions on continuing a route or withdrawing service are being taken in view of high aviation turbine fuel prices and continued airspace closures," he added.