WEB DESK: The closure of Pakistani airspace has dealt a severe blow to Indian airlines, resulting in increased flight durations for routes to Europe and the United States from India.
In an ongoing fallout from geopolitical tensions, the closure of Pakistani airspace continues to pose significant challenges for Indian airlines, complicating flight routes to and from Europe and the United States.
As airlines navigate these complexities, travelers are likely to feel the impact in the form of longer journeys and rising ticket prices.
The restriction, initially enforced after the Balakot airstrike in 2019, resulted in considerable financial losses for Indian airlines, amounting to approximately 700 billion rupees. With flights now detouring considerably, fuel consumption is expected to rise, which will inevitably lead to increased operational costs.
The airspace ban is expected to affect approximately 70 to 80 flights per day, with peak travel times leading to numbers surpassing 100. This will particularly impact routes to Central Asia, the Middle East, the UK, and North America, where Indian carriers traditionally held a competitive advantage.
In contrast, airlines operating out of Pakistan will continue to maintain their regular schedules, benefitting from the airspace closure as they face little to no competition from Indian carriers in these routes.
This situation presents a unique challenge for Indian airlines as they must now diversify their operational strategies and seek alternative routes that may not be as cost-effective or efficient.
