India's largest airline IndiGo on Thursday said it has temporarily suspended operations to six international destinations, including Hong Kong and Krabi, as part of network optimisation.

The budget carrier has decided to temporarily suspend services to Langkawi, Krabi, Ho Chi Minh, Hong Kong, and Shanghai starting July 1 and Siem Reap effective July 3 until September 30, IndiGo said in a statement.

Seasonal demand softness triggers network reset

The decision has been taken in view of a traditionally softer demand in the upcoming quarter and an incredibly challenging cost environment, it said.

IndiGo will resume bookings for all impacted services starting October 1, subject to an improved environment, it said, adding that the airline stands prepared to reinstate these services earlier than scheduled, in appropriate lead time.

The carrier also stated that it has managed to retain majority of its international operations -- over 1,800 weekly international flights -- despite this realignment.

"These measured changes are designed to align capacity with current market conditions and demand trends, while ensuring the airline maintains reliability and network integrity across its global destinations," the statement said.

The airline will continue to monitor the situation, given the elevated operating costs and continued airspace restrictions, it added.

Cost pressures and competitive dynamics shape international strategy

The network recalibration comes at a time when Indian carriers are increasingly balancing aggressive international expansion with cost pressures, including higher aviation turbine fuel (ATF) prices, foreign exchange volatility, and uneven post-pandemic demand recovery across short-haul Asian routes.

IndiGo, which has been rapidly expanding its international footprint over the past two years, has been deploying narrow-body aircraft on medium-haul routes across Southeast Asia and East Asia, a strategy aimed at tapping rising leisure and VFR (visiting friends and relatives) traffic. However, such networks remain sensitive to yield fluctuations, especially when demand softens or competitive intensity increases on overlapping routes operated by both full-service and low-cost airlines.

Despite the temporary suspension of select routes, the airline continues to maintain a broad international presence across West Asia, Europe (via leased aircraft operations), and Asia-Pacific, with over 1,800 weekly international flights underscoring its scale advantage in the Indian aviation market. ( With inputs from PTI)