India's airlines are reshaping their networks under the pressure of conflict in West Asia, extending suspensions of flights to Saudi Arabia and cutting long-haul routes to Europe as fuel costs and airspace closures make some services unviable.
IndiGo, India's largest airline, has extended its suspension of flights to and from Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam and Madinah until October 31, according to a travel advisory report on Sunday, October 25. Air India and its low-cost arm Air India Express have suspended services to Riyadh and Dammam until November 7, and to Jeddah until October 31.
The suspensions, first announced in mid-October, have been extended several times. Air India had previously paused flights to Jeddah, Riyadh and Dammam until October 24.
Why flights were halted
The disruption follows attacks on Saudi Arabia by Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen. An aerial attack on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh on October 10 killed 13 people, including an Indian national who later died of his injuries, and injured about 300. Saudi authorities closed the airport for several days to ensure the safety and operational readiness of its facilities.
IndiGo cited "heightened security concerns" in the region. "Your safety and well-being remain our top priority," the airline said in an advisory to passengers. Akasa Air has also suspended flights to Riyadh and Jeddah.
A major blow for diaspora travellers
Saudi Arabia is home to one of the largest Indian communities abroad, with more than two million Indian workers and their families. Flights between India and Saudi cities are heavily used by migrant workers travelling to and from Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and other states, as well as by pilgrims travelling to Madinah and Makkah.
The suspensions have disrupted travel plans for thousands of passengers. Air India has offered passengers with confirmed bookings one free date change, the option to rebook through other Gulf airports, or a full refund if they choose not to travel. Air India guests can rebook to Dubai or Doha, while Air India Express passengers can use a wider range of Gulf cities, including Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Kuwait, Muscat and Sharjah.
Air India's winter schedule
Separately, Air India's winter schedule, which took effect on October 25, ends several long-haul routes to Europe. The airline is ending Delhi-Copenhagen and Amritsar-London Gatwick services on October 25, Delhi-Vienna on October 31 and Delhi-Birmingham on November 4.
The airline cited high fuel costs, airspace restrictions and route length. Airspace closures over parts of West Asia have forced longer routings to Europe, raising fuel consumption and costs. With jet fuel prices elevated as Brent crude trades above $110 a barrel, some routes have become unprofitable.
Air India Express, meanwhile, is adding more than 40 routes in its winter schedule, focusing on domestic and short-haul international services.
The economics of long-haul flying
Long-haul routes are particularly sensitive to fuel costs, which can account for 30-40% of an airline's operating expenses. When aircraft have to fly longer routes to avoid closed airspace, they burn more fuel and may need to carry less cargo or fewer passengers to stay within weight limits.
Routes to smaller European cities such as Copenhagen, Vienna and Birmingham typically have thinner demand than flights to major hubs such as London Heathrow, Paris and Frankfurt, making them more vulnerable when costs rise. Air India appears to be concentrating its resources on its strongest routes.
