The Air India Group has been significantly impacted by the Middle East conflict and the financial impact is "yet to be fully felt", according to Air India chief Campbell Wilson, who has also stressed the need for having a tighter-than-ever control of unnecessary expenditure. Loss-making Air India and Air India Express have been grappling with operational disruptions like other airlines since the start of the conflict involving the US, Israel, and Iran on February 28. Wilson said the impact on Air India Group is significant given the usual scale of its operations to, and through, the Middle East. "For now, though, we should continue to focus on safe operations, keep tighter-than-ever control of non-urgent or unnecessary expenditure, support each other and keep delivering great Air India service to our customers," Air India's MD and CEO said in the message. Air India, Air India Express, IndiGo, and Akasa Air have imposed fuel surcharge and charge on tickets amid rising jet fuel costs due to the conflict.

Source: The Telegraph March 22, 2026 11:08 UTC