DALLAS- Air India (AI) has canceled plans for a new nonstop route from Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) to Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) in Delhi. The carrier’s 2025 schedule no longer lists this service, which regulators approved in late 2024.
The decision comes amid Air India’s aircraft retrofit program, which grounds long-haul aircraft for upgrades. North Texas leaders and the local Indian community had anticipated the link for better connectivity.
Photo: Utkarsh Thakkar (Vimanspotter)Air India Cancels Dallas to Delhi Flight
India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation approved the route in October 2024 and allowed operations to start as early as December 1 of that year. Experts predicted a 2025 launch due to preparation needs.
Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) appeared on Air India’s approved schedule, raising expectations for direct flights between the US Southwest and India.
Reported by Dallas Business Journal, the airline quietly dropped Dallas from its served airports and 2025 timetable on Thursday.
Air India has not issued a public statement or responded to the change. The route would have connected a major Texas hub to Delhi, serving business travelers and the growing Indian diaspora in the region.
Air India currently retrofits its long-haul fleet, which removes several wide-body aircraft from service.
This program updates interiors and systems on planes like Boeing 777s and 787s to match the airline’s rebranding under Tata Group ownership.
Analysts link the Dallas omission to these disruptions, as the carrier prioritizes existing routes during the transition.
The retrofit effort started in 2024 and continues into 2025, affecting capacity for new services. Air India ended flights to Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) earlier due to similar constraints.
No evidence points to other factors, such as demand issues or regulatory hurdles, though the airline maintains silence on specifics.
Photo: avgeekwithlens/ Harsh TekriwalCurrent Air India Operations in North America
Air India (AI) operates nonstop flights to several North American cities from its Delhi hub. These include New York John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) in New Jersey, Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD), San Francisco International Airport (SFO), Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ), and Vancouver International Airport (YVR).
The network focuses on East Coast and West Coast gateways, with Chicago as a Midwest entry point. Air India serves over 100 destinations worldwide, but North American routes emphasize high-demand markets.
The Dallas plan would have expanded Southwest US access, but current priorities limit growth.
Photo: Dallas International Airport (DFW)Impact on North Texas Community
WFAA-TV in Dallas noted strong support for the proposed Delhi route from North Texas’s large Indian population. The region hosts over 300,000 people of Indian origin, many in the tech and business sectors.
A direct flight would cut travel time and costs, boosting family visits and trade ties between Texas and India.
Local leaders viewed the service as an economic driver, potentially adding thousands of passengers annually.
Without it, travelers rely on connections through Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) or New York (JFK), which extend journeys by hours. The community now watches for future announcements as Air India’s fleet stabilizes.
Photo: avgeekwithlens/ Harsh TekriwalFuture Outlook
Air India plans to grow its international network post-retrofit, targeting more US cities by late 2025 or 2026.
The airline aims to double its fleet and routes under its Vihaan.AI transformation. Regulators may revisit the Dallas approval if capacity allows.
Experts suggest monitoring Air India’s schedule updates for reinstatements. Similar routes, like Mumbai to US hubs, succeed due to strong demand. Texas’s business links with India in energy and IT could revive the plan, but no timeline exists.
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