New Delhi– Tata Group-owned Air India has announced the suspension of its non-stop Delhi–Washington, D.C. service effective September 1, 2025, citing a combination of fleet shortfall and operational constraints, including ongoing airspace issues.
In a statement released Monday, the airline said the suspension is a strategic step aimed at “ensuring the reliability and integrity” of its overall route network.
The decision comes in the wake of multiple challenges faced by the airline, including the ongoing retrofit programme of 26 Boeing 787-8 aircraft, which began last month. The extensive upgrades are part of Air India’s efforts to enhance onboard passenger experience, but they also mean reduced aircraft availability through at least the end of 2026.
Compounding the issue is the continued closure of Pakistani airspace, which has forced longer routing on several long-haul routes, increasing fuel costs and operational complexity for transatlantic services.
“This extensive retrofit programme, aimed at significantly enhancing customer experience, necessitates a prolonged unavailability of multiple aircraft at any given time until at least the end of 2026,” the airline noted. “That, coupled with the continued closure of airspace over Pakistan, impacts long-haul operations.”
Affected passengers with bookings to or from Washington, D.C. beyond the suspension date will be contacted directly and offered alternative travel options, including rebooking on alternate routes or full refunds, based on individual preferences.
While the direct Washington service will pause, Air India highlighted that customers can still access the U.S. capital via one-stop connections through New York (JFK), Newark (EWR), Chicago, and San Francisco, in partnership with Alaska Airlines, United Airlines, and Delta Air Lines. These interline agreements allow single-itinerary bookings with baggage checked through to the final destination.
Air India emphasized that it remains committed to its North American network and will continue to operate non-stop flights to six destinations, including Toronto and Vancouver in Canada.
Recent Incidents Raise Safety Concerns
The suspension announcement comes amid renewed scrutiny of the airline’s operational performance. Earlier Monday, a technical glitch aboard an Air India flight from Delhi caused a tense, hour-long delay at Raipur airport, leaving approximately 160 passengers, including a sitting MLA, stranded onboard without clear communication.
Just a day earlier, another Air India flight from Thiruvananthapuram to Delhi, carrying several senior political leaders, was diverted for an emergency landing at Chennai due to a suspected radar malfunction.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has reportedly initiated an investigation into both incidents, focusing on the technical malfunctions and the handling of passengers during the disruptions. (Source: IANS)
