Loss-making route: Air India axes direct Mumbai-New York flight

India’s troubled national flag carrier announced its decision to discontinue their direct service between Mumbai and New York, due to ‘poor demand.’ According to the Air India officials, Mumbai-New York flight operation was resulting in huge losses to the airline.

Air India launched direct flights from Mumbai to New York’s John F Kennedy Airport in December 2018. Air India operated three flight per week between Mumbai and New York.

Air India suspended Mumbai-New York flight in February due to the closure of Pakistan airspace. The flight operation was expected to be started in June. However, the company decided to not resume the operation. “The flight has been discontinued owing to poor load factor or low seat occupancy,” Air India the spokesperson said.

The flying time of US-bound flights from India has been increased, due to the closure of Pakistan Airspace. The official said AI has not included the flight in their winter schedule, which usually commences from third week of October. Air India uses Boeing 777-300 aircraft to operate flights from New Delhi to Newark, Washington, Chicago, San Francisco.