India’s airlines scheduled 22,673 domestic flights a week in November 2026, down from 23,555 a year earlier. The difference is 882 weekly departures, or 126 a day on average. Air India Group accounts for the largest reduction, while IndiGo’s use of larger aircraft and Akasa Air’s expansion help keep total seat capacity close to last year’s level.
The November figures describe scheduled flights during one month of the 2026–27 winter season. For passengers, the clearest change is the choice of departure times. A route can retain much of its seat capacity and still lose the morning flight that made a pilgrimage, business meeting or weekend break practical.
Air India Group Makes the Largest Cuts
Air India Group’s combined domestic schedule fell from 6,440 to 5,752 weekly flights. Air India itself accounted for 645 of the group’s 688 fewer departures and removed 102,242 seats a week. Air India Express reduced weekly departures by 1.6%, while its seat count changed only slightly.
That difference matters at airports served by both airlines. A traveller who previously chose between several flights may find that the remaining options operate at different times or come with different fare conditions. For passengers combining a domestic flight with an international departure, a revised feeder schedule can also mean a longer wait or an overnight stay at the connecting airport.
IndiGo Adds Seats While Akasa Adds Flights
IndiGo scheduled 375 fewer flights a week but added about 21,400 weekly seats. Its average capacity rose from 185 to 192 seats per departure as it made greater use of larger Airbus A321neo aircraft. Across Indian carriers, the average rose from 175 to 181 seats per flight.
The larger aircraft give IndiGo more seats to sell on individual departures. Travellers who can adjust their schedules may find that works well enough. Those with fixed arrival times, such as wedding guests or small groups sharing a transfer, may have fewer flights that fit their plans.
Akasa Air moved in the other direction, adding 412 weekly departures and 79,433 seats. Its share of domestic seats rose from 4.4% to 6.4%. The increase offsets much of Air India’s seat reduction at national level. The benefit for passengers depends on where Akasa adds flights. More seats on one city pair offer little help to someone whose preferred service has disappeared on another.
Hyderabad and Chennai Record Steep Declines
Scheduled departures fell 14.3% at Hyderabad and 14% at Chennai compared with November 2025. Hyderabad services to Chennai, Patna and Tirupati were among the routes facing reductions. The comparison also showed fewer flights between Delhi and Hyderabad and between Delhi and Leh.
The impact varies with the purpose of the trip. A family flying to Tirupati may need to fit its arrival around temple plans and ground transport. A traveller heading to Leh may need to rethink the timing of an onward journey or the first night’s accommodation. For tour operators organising groups, the question is whether enough seats are available on a flight that still fits the rest of the itinerary.
Some airports are adding options. Kochi’s winter timetable includes 1,766 weekly flight movements across its domestic and international network, serving 32 destinations. Kolkata is also expecting selected additions, including more Akasa Air departures. Those schedules show why the national reduction is most useful as context for checking individual routes.
Flight Times Matter for Winter Holiday Bookings
India’s winter timetable runs from late October to late March, and airlines can adjust services within that period. Travellers planning Christmas, New Year or wedding-season trips can compare both legs before committing to accommodation. A later arrival may require a different airport transfer, while an earlier return can shorten the last day of a holiday.
For hotels and travel sellers, fewer frequencies can make it harder to build packages around standard check-in days or quick weekend stays. A larger aircraft can still bring a sizeable group into a destination, provided its departure time works for the itinerary. For travellers, the practical measure of the winter schedule is how many flights fit their dates, connections and plans on arrival.
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