Airline says flight diversions, fuel costs, and economic uncertainty contributed to financial challenges.
NEW DELHI: India’s aviation sector is feeling the impact of prolonged airspace restrictions as Air India says Pakistan’s continued closure of its airspace has added significant costs to its operations.
The airline has linked the restrictions to longer flight routes and rising expenses, contributing to losses of nearly $2.3 billion during the financial year ending March 31.
According to international aviation publication FlightGlobal, Air India reported the losses during the financial year, with the airline citing multiple factors affecting its financial performance.
Air India said the closure of Pakistan’s airspace following the Pakistan-India conflict forced it to reroute flights operating on western routes. The longer flight paths increased fuel consumption and operational expenses, adding pressure on the airline’s finances.
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The airline also pointed to rising fuel prices triggered by the US-Iran conflict and broader economic uncertainty as additional factors behind its financial difficulties.
Indian aviation expert Subhash Goyal said the continued closure of Pakistan’s airspace has affected between 400 and 500 flights operated by Indian airlines.
The restrictions have created operational challenges for carriers using western routes, requiring longer flight paths and increasing costs associated with fuel and aircraft operations.
The FlightGlobal report noted that these additional pressures have further affected India’s aviation sector, which is already facing challenges linked to rising expenses and global economic uncertainty.
Airlines worldwide continue to deal with several pressures, including fuel price volatility, geopolitical tensions, and changing economic conditions.
For Indian carriers, the continued airspace restrictions have added another operational challenge by increasing travel distances and affecting cost management.
The impact of Pakistan’s airspace closure highlights the importance of stable regional aviation routes for maintaining efficient and cost-effective air operations. As airlines continue to manage geopolitical and economic challenges, reducing operational pressures remains a key priority for the aviation industry.
