India’s largest airline IndiGo on Thursday announced the temporary suspension of flights to six international destinations, including Hong Kong, Shanghai and Thailand’s Krabi, as it moves to optimise its network amid softer travel demand and rising operating costs.The budget carrier said services to Langkawi, Krabi, Ho Chi Minh City, Hong Kong and Shanghai will be suspended from July 1, while flights to Siem Reap will be halted from July 3.The suspension will remain in place until September 30, according to a company statement.IndiGo said the decision was driven by “traditionally softer demand” expected in the upcoming quarter and an “incredibly challenging cost environment”.The airline added that bookings for all affected routes will reopen from October 1, subject to an improvement in market conditions.It also said it remains prepared to restore services earlier if the operating environment improves.
Network optimisation amid rising costs
Despite the temporary route suspensions, IndiGo said it has retained the majority of its international operations, continuing to operate more than 1,800 international flights every week.“These measured changes are designed to align capacity with current market conditions and demand trends, while ensuring the airline maintains reliability and network integrity across its global destinations,” the airline said.The carrier also cited elevated operating costs and continuing airspace restrictions as factors influencing its decision, adding that it would continue monitoring the situation.
Airlines grapple with fuel price pressures
The move comes amid broader capacity reductions across the Indian aviation sector as carriers struggle with high aviation turbine fuel (ATF) prices and geopolitical disruptions.Both Air India and IndiGo have been trimming capacities between June and August due to rising fuel costs.IndiGo had already indicated plans to reduce domestic capacity by 5-7 per cent and international capacity by 17 per cent.Air India, meanwhile, has announced cuts to both domestic and international operations. The Tata Group-owned airline is reducing domestic flights by around 22 per cent this summer as soaring jet fuel prices, a weaker rupee and muted travel demand weigh on profitability.Industry-wide pressures have intensified following the Middle East crisis, which pushed Brent crude prices sharply higher and disrupted global energy markets.Concerns over supply disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz have significantly increased fuel costs, affecting the commercial viability of several airline routes.
