Air India has reduced its flight operations in response to the surge in jet fuel prices, impacting travel options and costs for Canadian residents planning trips to India. The airline has confirmed a decrease in the number of flights on the Delhi-Toronto and Delhi-Vancouver routes for May, cutting down from 10 to 7 and 7 to 5 flights per week, respectively.
CEO Campbell Wilson explained in an internal message that the airline has already trimmed flight volumes for April and May, with further schedule adjustments planned for June and July. The sharp increase in jet fuel prices, combined with airspace closures and longer flight paths, has rendered many international flights unprofitable, leading to the need for cost-cutting measures.
To offset the rising operational costs, Air India has raised airfares and imposed fuel surcharges. However, the consequent higher ticket prices have impacted customer demand, prompting a reduction in flight frequencies. Data from aviation tracker Cirium reveals a 35% decrease in round-trip flights between Toronto and Delhi in May compared to March.
The escalation in fuel expenses has forced numerous airlines to implement price hikes, cancel flights, and ground aircraft, with fuel prices nearly double the pre-Iran conflict rates. With approximately 1.4 million residents of Indian origin in Canada, the reduced flight options and increased fares will make travel to India more challenging for travelers from both sides of the Pacific Ocean.
In a related move, Air Canada has also made adjustments, suspending several routes deemed economically unfeasible due to jet fuel costs. Other Canadian carriers, like WestJet, have followed suit by reducing flight capacities in response to the soaring fuel prices.