Shashi Tharoor pushes back on Air India’s planned flight cuts in Kerala

Congress MP and former diplomat Shashi Tharoor has formally urged Air India to reconsider reported cuts in flights from Kerala for the upcoming winter schedule, warning that the move shows disregard for the state’s connectivity needs.

Tharoor addressed a letter to Campbell Wilson, MD of Air India, after reports that Air India Express would withdraw services from Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi, Kozhikode and Kannur between late October and March.

He emphasized that Kerala handles significant international passenger traffic — especially with Gulf countries — and that cutting routes will negatively impact migrant workers, students, tourism, trade and families.

Tharoor also flagged Air India’s removal of business-class service on the Delhi–Thiruvananthapuram route as already a “slap in the face,” adding that further flight cuts would compound the insult.

He warned that IndiGo and Akasa Air are ready to step in, and that many travelers may switch airlines if the cuts proceed. The winter flight schedules, usually effective from late October, have not yet been officially announced by the DGCA.

Meanwhile, the Leader of Opposition in the Kerala Legislative Assembly, VD Satheesan, has also voiced opposition. He has written to the Union Civil Aviation Minister, arguing that Gulf routes from Kerala are among Air India Express’s most profitable and cutting them seems unjustified.

So far, Air India has not publicly responded to Tharoor’s letter or the criticism. The airline’s winter schedule is normally finalized through coordination with the DGCA, and any changes are expected to be formally released soon.