Air India said on Monday it would stop services between the capital cities of India and the U.S. from September 1, citing aircraft shortage due to the planned upgrades to its ageing Boeing planes and the closure of Pakistan's airspace.

Despite the suspension of direct flights to Washington, D.C., Air India said passengers will have access to one-stop connections to the city via other U.S. gateways, including Chicago, Newark, New York and San Francisco, thanks to partnerships with airlines such as Alaska Airlines, Delta Air Lines and United Airlines.