According to reports from Business Standard, ET Now, and PTI, IndiGo announced the suspension of flights to six international destinations between July and September 2026. The affected routes include Langkawi, Krabi, Ho Chi Minh, Hong Kong, Shanghai and Siem Reap. The airline stated that operations to Langkawi, Krabi, Ho Chi Minh, Hong Kong and Shanghai will be suspended starting July 1, 2026, while Siem Reap operations will be suspended effective July 3, 2026, until September 30, 2026. As reported by ET Now, these suspensions are part of a capacity adjustment exercise that covers a mix of Southeast Asian and East Asian leisure and business destinations that have faced pressure from softer travel demand and rising operational costs. The airline described the move as part of a broader network optimisation strategy aimed at matching capacity with current market conditions while maintaining operational efficiency across global destinations.
As reported by Business Standard, IndiGo cited traditionally softer demand in the upcoming quarter and an incredibly challenging cost environment as the primary reasons for the suspension. The airline noted that the West Asia conflict, which began when Israel and the US conducted military strikes on Iran on February 28, has significantly pushed up global crude oil prices and accelerated rupee depreciation. According to ET Now, the airline described the cost environment as incredibly challenging, referencing sustained pressure from fuel prices, currency movements and other operating expenses. Indian airlines are particularly vulnerable to rupee depreciation as a large share of their expenses, including aircraft leases, maintenance, and part of fuel purchases, is dollar-denominated, while most revenue is earned in rupees. The network recalibration comes at a time when Indian carriers are increasingly balancing aggressive international expansion with cost pressures, including higher aviation turbine fuel (ATF) prices, foreign exchange volatility, and uneven post-pandemic demand recovery across short-haul Asian routes. The airline emphasized that 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.
According to Moneycontrol, IndiGo has temporarily discontinued its Manchester service from August 31, less than a year after launching the route in July 2025. The airline currently operated three weekly flights from Delhi and four weekly flights from Mumbai to the UK city. As reported by Moneycontrol, the decision has been driven by increased flight durations caused by international airspace restrictions and a challenging cost environment. Following the suspension of Manchester services, IndiGo will return one Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft leased from Norse Atlantic Airways. The carrier had leased six Dreamliners as part of its strategy to expand into long-haul international markets ahead of receiving its own Airbus A350 aircraft. Abhijit Dasgupta, Senior Vice President, Network Planning and Revenue Management, said the airline had received encouraging demand for the Manchester route, stating it is unfortunate that longer flying times due to airspace constraints coupled with dramatically escalating costs compelled the decision to temporarily discontinue India-Manchester services.
According to Business Standard, ET Now, and PTI, despite the curtailment, IndiGo has managed to retain majority of its international operations, which now stands at over 1,800 weekly international flights. The airline stated that it will resume bookings for all impacted services starting October 1, 2026, though it stands prepared to reinstate services earlier if the environment becomes favourable. As reported by ET Now, the airline described the adjustments as a network optimisation exercise, framing the move as a considered reallocation of capacity rather than a retreat from international markets. The airline emphasized that these changes are designed to align capacity with current market conditions while ensuring reliability and network integrity across global destinations. The carrier also stated that it has managed to retain majority of its international operations -- over 1,800 weekly international flights -- despite this realignment, with the airline continuing to monitor the situation given the elevated operating costs and continued airspace restrictions. Several carriers globally have been forced to adjust schedules, reroute aircraft and review international networks due to changing geopolitical and operational challenges.
