Bengaluru, Mumbai lose critical US link as Air India cancels San Francisco routes

Air India will halt all non-stop flights from Bengaluru and Mumbai to San Francisco starting March 1, a sudden move that has triggered widespread confusion and concern among passengers holding tickets for future travel.

The sudden withdrawal of these two high-profile routes has left passengers with existing bookings scrambling for alternatives, with the airline stating it is undertaking a "rejig" of its North American network. According to TOI, the decision is aimed at optimising aircraft deployment and managing rising operational costs linked to ongoing airspace restrictions, which have affected several carriers' flight paths.

Under the revised schedule, the carrier will significantly bolster its operations from its Delhi hub. Services from Delhi to San Francisco will increase from seven to ten per week, while flights from Delhi to Toronto will also rise to ten per week. An Air India spokesperson reportedly indicated that the non-stop services from Bengaluru and Mumbai could be reinstated should airspace constraints ease.

Passengers impacted by the route cancellations are to be re-accommodated on other flights or offered full refunds, the airline said. Officials stated they would reach out to affected individuals, but the announcement has already triggered anxiety. On social media platform X, one traveller queried the status of their booked flights for May, echoing concerns from others who had planned trips well in advance.

The move is expected to disproportionately affect technology professionals and business travellers, who form a substantial portion of the passenger base on these direct connections to America's West Coast. The Bengaluru-San Francisco route, notably operated with Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, is a critical link for India's tech capital.

Nakul Tirtha, a Bengaluru-based tech professional, was cited by TOI as voicing a common frustration, stating that booking months ahead to avoid last-minute issues had now resulted in uncertainty. The expanded Delhi capacity may absorb some demand, but the loss of direct, convenient connectivity from two major Indian cities is a significant blow to a key demographic of flyers.