Air India to halt non-stop Delhi–Washington flights from September amid fleet retrofit, Pakistan airspace closure
The airline said the decision was taken 'to ensure the reliability and integrity of Air India's overall route network' as it began retrofitting 26 Boeing 787-8 Dreamliners last month. 'This extensive retrofit programme, aimed at significantly enhancing customer experience, necessitates a prolonged unavailability of multiple aircraft at any given time until at least end of 2026,' it added.
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Compounding the challenge, the 'continued closure of airspace over Pakistan impacts the airline's long-haul operations, leading to longer flight routings and increased operational complexity.'
Affected passengers booked beyond September 1 will be contacted for alternative travel arrangements, which could include 'rebooking on other flights or full refunds, as per their individual preferences.' Air India will continue offering one-stop connections to Washington, D.C. via New York (JFK), Newark, Chicago, and San Francisco through interline agreements with Alaska Airlines, United Airlines, and Delta Air Lines. These partnerships allow customers to 'travel on a single itinerary with their baggage checked through to the final destination.'
Air India is navigating a multifaceted operational crisis. Since the June 12 crash of Flight 171, the airline has undergone stringent DGCA-mandated safety inspections of its Dreamliner fleet, prompting widespread cancellations and a temporary 15 % reduction in wide-body international operations through mid-July. Regulatory scrutiny has intensified following the airline receiving multiple formal warnings over lapses in crew fatigue management, training, and maintenance protocols.
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Further complicating the landscape are network constraints from ongoing aircraft retrofits and regional airspace closures, notably over Pakistan, which have disrupted routes like Delhi–Washington and further strained fleet availability.
Despite the Washington suspension, the airline said, it will maintain non-stop flights to six other North American destinations, including Toronto and Vancouver, alongside U.S. cities such as New York, Newark, Chicago, and San Francisco.
The move comes as Air India executes its five-year
Vihaan.AI transformation plan
following its return to the Tata Group in 2022. The carrier has placed an order for 570 new aircraft and is progressively upgrading interiors across its fleet. The 787 retrofit is part of this overhaul, which also includes a new flying school in 2025 and a greenfield maintenance base set to open in 2026.
The airline has not announced when the Washington service will resume, with the timing likely dependent on retrofit progress and any changes in overflight restrictions.
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