Why in News?
Pakistan's closure of its airspace to Indian airlines is set to impact over 800 weekly flights, leading to longer travel times, higher fuel consumption, and complications in crew and flight scheduling.
What’s in Today’s Article?
- Impact of Pakistan Airspace Closure on Indian Flights
- Pakistan’s Last Airspace Closure
- Possible Future Outcomes
Impact of Pakistan Airspace Closure on Indian Flights
- Scope of the Ban:
- Pakistan has banned all aircraft registered in India or operated by Indian carriers from using its airspace.
- Affected Routes
- The closure impacts all west-bound flights from northern Indian cities, especially Delhi, to Central Asia, the Caucasus, West Asia, Europe, the UK, and North America.
- Longer Flight Paths
- Flights will need to reroute over the Arabian Sea, increasing journey times and leading to higher fuel consumption.
- Operational Challenges
- Airlines will face difficulties with fuel management and payload, potentially needing to reduce the number of passengers or baggage to maintain safe weight limits.
- Increased Costs and Airfares
- Operational costs will rise due to longer routes and higher fuel burn.
- Airfares on international routes operated by Indian carriers may increase by 8–12%, with a possibility of further hikes if the situation persists.
- Competitive Disadvantage
- Foreign airlines that can still use Pakistani airspace will gain a cost advantage over Indian carriers on shared routes.
- Most Affected Airline
- Air India, which operates several direct flights to Europe, the US, and Canada from Delhi, is expected to be hit the hardest.
- Uncertainty in Flight Plans
- Airlines are still evaluating routing options, and more clarity will come once final flight plans are submitted.
- IndiGo’s Growing Exposure
- Since 2019, IndiGo has expanded significantly into Central Asia, Turkey, and the Caucasus, becoming the only Indian carrier operating in those regions.
- Its operations are notably impacted under the new restrictions.
Pakistan’s Last Airspace Closure
- Pakistan last closed its airspace in February 2019 after the Indian Air Force conducted air strikes in Balakot in response to the Pulwama terror attack.
- Duration and Impact
- The closure lasted for several months, causing significant operational disruptions for Indian airlines due to the need for longer alternate routes.
- Financial Losses
- Indian airlines collectively incurred losses of around Rs 700 crore, mainly due to increased fuel expenses and logistical challenges.
- Most Affected Airline
- Air India suffered the most, as it operated the highest number of west-bound international flights during the closure period.
