Pakistan Airspace Shutdown Disrupts Over 600 Indian Flights
By BNO - Mumbai Branch
The closure of Pakistan’s airspace, which took effect on April 24, has considerably disrupted international flights operated mainly by Indian airlines such as Air India and IndiGo, as reported. Moneycontrol In the first five days after the airspace closure, around 600 westward-directed international flights were impacted.
Moneycontrol According to his analysis, which relies on information from online travel agencies and flight trackers, approximately 120 such flights have had to take extra fueling breaks during their journeys to Europe, North America, and other locations usually including Pakistani airspace.
Islamabad's choice to prohibit Indian airlines from using its airspace, starting April 24, followed shortly after the events in question. India's reaction to the terror strike On tourists in Pahalgam on April 22, resulting in a minimum of 26 deaths and several injuries. Moneycontrol noted.
Indian airlines are currently redirecting their international routes to fly over Mumbai and Ahmedabad, crossing the Arabian Sea en route to Muscat prior to heading to their ultimate destinations. Moneycontrol detailed.
The report indicated that each week in March, approximately 800 overseas trips were conducted by Indian carriers flying through Pakistani air space. This adjustment has turned out to be both intricate and costly. Direct flights departing from cities such as Delhi, Amritsar, Srinagar, Chandigarh, Ahmedabad, Kolkata, Lucknow, and Jaipur towards destinations in the Middle East have seen their journey times extended by between 15 to 45 minutes. Furthermore, flights heading toward Europe are encountering even greater delays, adding about another hour and a half onto their travel duration. Moneycontrol stated.
Linus Bauer, who founded and currently manages BAA & Partners, a consulting firm based in the UAE, shared his thoughts with Moneycontrol If Pakistan’s airspace remains closed for one month, the estimated financial impact on Indian carriers might fall between $10 million and $15 million.
Bauer elaborated that this financial strain includes not only direct operating expenses like fuel and crew overtime but also indirect income reductions due to flight cancelations, decreased cargo space, and inconsistent scheduling. Moneycontrol .
Higher flight ranges are resulting in an expected extra expenditure of $1,350 to $3,000 per trip because of greater fuel use. Fuel for jets represents the biggest individual cost for airlines, making up about 25 percent of all expenses they incur.
Industry insiders informed Moneycontrol These increasing expenses may lead to elevated airfare prices. Furthermore, the ongoing capability of foreign carriers to fly over Pakistani territory might offer them a financial edge compared to their Indian rivals on the impacted flight paths.
Although the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) announced on April 28 that they are working alongside Indian airlines to more effectively evaluate the consequences of the airspace shutdown and develop optimal strategies for enhancing passenger experience as well as supporting carriers, sources indicate that domestic airlines are starting to consider increasing fares. Moneycontrol .
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