1. Planned fleet shortfall – Retrofitting of 26 Boeing 787-8 aircraft, reducing available planes until at least the end of 2026.
2. Closure of Pakistan’s airspace – Forcing longer flight routes and increasing travel time.
3. Higher costs & operational complexity – Resulting from longer routes and fewer available aircraft.
Air India’s suspension of services to Washington, D.C. from September 1 is a significant change for travelers and the aviation sector. It will impact connectivity and requires passengers to explore alternative routes. Hopefully, this is a temporary measure and the airline will restore or improve services soon to meet demand.
That’s a significant change for Air India and travelers. The suspension seems driven by the fleet retrofit and airspace issues, which will impact long-haul operations. Good they’re offering alternative options via one-stop flights through major U.S. gateways, but this will definitely affect direct connectivity to Washington, D.C. Hopefully, the retrofit improves customer experience as promised.
