Air India Suspends Delhi-Washington Flights Amid Pakistan Airspace Closure, Fleet Retrofit

Air India announced it will suspend direct flights between Delhi and Washington, D.C. starting September 1, 2025, due primarily to a shortage of available aircraft caused by an extensive retrofit program of 26 Boeing 787-8 planes, which will last until at least the end of 2026. The closure of Pakistani airspace to Indian carriers since April 24, 2025, has further complicated operations by forcing longer and more complex flight routes, increasing operational costs substantially. Air India estimates losses of approximately $600 million annually due to the airspace closure, which has also impacted Pakistan's aviation revenue. Passengers affected by the suspension will be offered alternative travel arrangements, including rebooking on connecting flights through U.S. cities such as New York, Newark, Chicago, and San Francisco, in partnership with other airlines. Despite the suspension, Air India continues to operate non-stop flights to other North American destinations and maintains connectivity via one-stop flights to Washington, D.C. The combined operational challenges reflect ongoing geopolitical tensions between India and Pakistan, which have escalated following a violent attack in Indian Kashmir.