Airlines Share Insights on Impact of Pakistan Airspace Closure with Civil Aviation Ministry

Indian airlines have provided their feedback on the effects of Pakistan's airspace closure to the civil aviation ministry. The ministry is evaluating the situation and exploring potential solutions to address the challenges, according to sources. Recently, a meeting was held with various airlines to discuss the closure and gather their insights and suggestions for dealing with the situation.

Representative image

Airlines such as Air India, IndiGo, and SpiceJet have submitted their inputs and recommendations to the ministry, sources revealed on Thursday. Air India has projected that if the airspace remains closed for a year, additional expenses could reach USD 600 million. The airline has proposed financial assistance as one way to manage these costs.

Impact on Airlines and Passengers

Air India is considering various measures, including alternative routes, to help reduce expenses, according to one source. Airlines like Air India Express, IndiGo, SpiceJet, and Akasa Air operate internationally. However, there have been no official comments from these airlines regarding the situation.

On April 28, Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu stated that the ministry was evaluating the impact of Pakistan's airspace closure. The ministry is collaborating with airlines to find solutions. They are also examining aspects related to both airlines and passengers, including potential airfare increases due to higher operational costs.

Financial Implications

The weekly additional expenses for international flights from northern Indian cities are expected to be Rs 77 crore. This increase is due to higher fuel consumption and longer flight durations caused by the airspace restrictions. An analysis of overseas flights and rough calculations based on increased flight times suggest that Indian airlines' monthly operational costs could rise by over Rs 306 crore.

On April 24, Pakistan prohibited Indian airlines from using its airspace for overflights. In response, India banned Pakistani carriers from using Indian airspace on April 30. These actions followed the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, which resulted in at least 26 deaths, mostly tourists.

The civil aviation ministry continues to assess the situation and work towards viable solutions in collaboration with affected airlines. The focus remains on mitigating financial impacts while ensuring minimal disruption for passengers.