Air India has cut around 22% of its domestic flights, weeks after announcing a steep 27% reduction in international operations, with sources attributing the move to a sharp rise in aviation turbine fuel (ATF) prices.

The airline currently operates around 3,600 weekly domestic flights, or nearly 500 flights a day. A 22% reduction translates to roughly 110 daily flights being withdrawn.

Industry sources said IndiGo has also reduced its domestic capacity by about 5% during the July-September quarter compared to the same period last year. The move comes amid softer demand as travellers cut back on discretionary spending during what is traditionally a lean travel season following the summer holiday rush, sources added.

IndiGo currently operates nearly 2,200 daily flights, and a 5% reduction would amount to around 110 flights.

With airfares already nearly double on several routes, the capacity cuts are expected to further tighten supply and give airlines greater room to raise fares.