Indian Airlines Brace for Impact as Pakistan Closes Airspace
Pakistan Closes Airspace, Impacting Indian Flights
The Indian government is working closely with airlines to understand and minimize the impact of Pakistan’s decision to close its airspace to Indian carriers. This closure, announced on Thursday evening, is expected to disrupt over 800 international flights operated by Indian airlines each week.
Civil Aviation Minister K Ram Mohan Naidu assured the public that the government is prioritizing passenger well-being and is exploring alternative routes to minimize disruptions. He said, ‘We are going to work very closely with the airlines to see what solutions can be worked out.’
Rising Costs and Longer Routes
The closure forces Indian airlines to take longer routes, leading to increased fuel consumption and operational complexities. This directly translates to higher costs for airlines, which could eventually lead to increased airfares for passengers.
Flights from North India to destinations in West Asia, Europe, the UK, and North America are already being rerouted. Some Air India flights to and from North America, which were previously non-stop, now require technical halts at European airports for refueling or crew changes. IndiGo has even suspended its flights to Almaty and Tashkent in Central Asia due to the range limitations imposed by the airspace closure.
Navigating the Challenges
While there might be alternative routes through Chinese airspace, Minister Naidu highlighted the technical challenges associated with high-altitude flights over the Himalayas. He emphasized that safety is paramount, and any decision regarding flight paths must prioritize passenger and crew safety.
When asked about potential financial assistance to airlines, Minister Naidu stated that it’s too early to discuss such measures.
Echoes of 2019
This airspace closure brings back memories of 2019, when Pakistan closed its airspace for over four months following the Balakot airstrikes. Back then, Indian airlines incurred an estimated loss of around Rs 700 crore due to the increased fuel expenses and operational complexities caused by longer routes and additional stopovers.
Air India, operating the most west-bound international flights, was the most affected carrier during that period.
