Air India has announced that it will suspend its Delhi–Washington service starting September 1, citing a combination of operational factors, including a planned shortfall in its widebody fleet and continued airspace restrictions over Pakistan.

The airline said the decision is directly linked to an extensive retrofit programme for 26 of its Boeing 787-8 aircraft, which began last month. The large-scale cabin upgrade, aimed at significantly enhancing passenger comfort and onboard amenities, will keep multiple aircraft grounded at any given time until the end of 2026.

“This extensive retrofit programme, aimed at elevating the customer experience, requires the prolonged grounding of several aircraft,” Air India stated in a press release. “The planned fleet shortfall, coupled with the continued closure of Pakistani airspace, impacts our long-haul schedules and adds operational complexity.”

The suspension of the Washington route is among the most visible impacts of these constraints. The airline did not detail whether other routes would also be affected but acknowledged that long-haul international services are particularly vulnerable to the combined pressures.

The closure of Pakistani airspace, in place since early 2024, forces carriers to operate longer flight paths on some routes to Europe and North America. This results in extended travel times, increased fuel burn, and more complex crew rotations.

Industry observers say the twin challenges of reduced aircraft availability and circuitous routing leave the airline with limited flexibility in network planning. “When you’re down on aircraft and your flights are longer due to detours, the operational strain is substantial,” said an aviation analyst. “Airlines in such situations often have to prioritise high-yield or strategically critical routes.”

The retrofit project is part of Air India’s broader modernisation strategy under the Tata Group, which regained control of the carrier in 2022. Alongside the Boeing 787-8 upgrades, the airline is refurbishing other widebody jets and has placed orders for 470 new aircraft from Boeing and Airbus.

Air India said it will assist passengers booked on the Delhi–Washington route in rebooking onto alternative flights or partner airlines. The carrier stressed that while the temporary suspension is disruptive, the retrofit programme will deliver a substantially improved long-haul product.

“With the retrofitted aircraft entering service from late 2026, customers can expect a significantly upgraded travel experience,” the airline said. “These short-term measures are essential to achieving that long-term goal.”