The closure of Pakistan’s airspace to Indian airlines has caused significant disruptions, impacting over 60 flights within 16 hours. Four major Indian airlines – Air India, IndiGo, SpiceJet, and Akasa Air – have been affected, with several international routes requiring extra flying time, increased fuel consumption, and last-minute diversions.
Indian flight disruptions on the first day
– The Indian Vice President’s special flight to Italy was diverted, adding 90 minutes to its journey.
– Numerous long-haul flights from Toronto, New York, London, and other cities faced delays and diversions.
– Examples of disrupted flights include:
– Air India’s Toronto-Delhi flight diverted to Denmark.
– IndiGo’s Delhi-Tbilisi flight landed unexpectedly in Ahmedabad.
– Two IndiGo flights to Almaty and Tashkent were cancelled.
– SpiceJet’s Dubai-Amritsar flight was delayed by over 2.5 hours.
Financial Impact
The airspace closure is expected to result in significant financial losses for Indian airlines, with additional fuel expenses, longer flight durations, and altered cargo loads. Industry insiders warn that aircraft fuel costs will increase due to detours. The 2019 airspace closure cost Indian airlines at least $64 million, and this year’s disruption is feared to bring similar losses.
Aviation Staff Under Pressure
Airline operations teams worked late into the night to adjust pilot rosters, crew schedules, and flight paths. IndiGo stated that about 50 of its international routes may require realignment. An Indian airline executive said, “We had to re-calculate flying hours and reassign crews on short notice. It’s a logistical nightmare.”
Cause of the Closure
The closure came after heightened tensions between Pakistan and India following a deadly militant attack in Indian-administered Kashmir. India blamed “Pakistani elements” for the attack, which Pakistan denies. The tensions have escalated with retaliatory measures from both sides.
International Flights Unaffected
The ban only applies to Indian-registered aircraft or those leased to Indian operators. International carriers using Pakistani airspace to travel to India remain unaffected. According to flight monitoring websites, Indian airlines previously relied heavily on Pakistani airspace for travel to Europe, the Middle East, Central Asia, and North America
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