Air India Terminates Four European Routes Starting October 25, 2026

Effective October 25, 2026, Air India is officially withdrawing four major routes connecting India to European hubs. The affected services include Delhi–Copenhagen, Amritsar–London Gatwick, Delhi–Vienna, and Delhi–Birmingham. This network adjustment represents a significant reduction in direct connectivity between India and these specific European cities, forcing travellers to rely on connecting flights or alternative carriers.

The decision follows a broader trend of network optimization by the airline. While the carrier has not cited specific operational reasons for these exact cuts, the timing coincides with the start of the IATA winter season, a period when airlines typically re-evaluate route profitability and fleet allocation. This move leaves a gap in the market for direct travel, particularly for the Indian diaspora and business travellers who previously utilized these non-stop connections.

Travellers holding confirmed tickets for travel on these four routes on or after October 25, 2026, are directly impacted. This includes passengers booked on the Delhi–Copenhagen, Amritsar–London Gatwick, Delhi–Vienna, and Delhi–Birmingham services. Business travellers and tourists who planned their itineraries around these specific non-stop flights will now face longer travel times via transit hubs.

Makutet expects that this reduction in direct capacity will lead to increased airfares on remaining carriers serving these routes due to constrained supply. We anticipate that Air India will likely pivot its long-haul strategy toward higher-demand markets, potentially leaving secondary European cities underserved by direct Indian carriers for the foreseeable future.