Indian airlines lose over $2b due to Pakistani airspace closure
New Delhi: The closure of Pakistan’s airspace has caused Indian airlines to lose over $2 billion and five major Indian airlines have been severely affected.
According to Kashmir Media Service, data from the Pakistan Airport Authority and World Flight Information Data shows that Air India, IndiGo, Air India Express, Akasa Air and SpiceJet are among the affected airlines.
The closure of Pakistani airspace has caused Indian airlines to lose over $2 billion, while about 800 Indian flights are being affected weekly.
Delhi’s Indira Gandhi Airport is the worst affected, with 640 flights affected weekly. Flights from Delhi to the US, UK, Germany, Turkey and Kazakhstan have also been affected.
Due to the closure of Pakistani airspace, Indian airlines are having to use alternative long air routes, which has extended the flight journey by 1 to 3 hours.
Indian airlines are facing additional costs in terms of refueling, landing, takeoff and parking charges, as well as additional staff and operational costs due to long air routes.
Iranian and Gulf air routes are also problematic for Indian airlines. Iran-US tensions and the situation in the Middle East have added to the problems of Indian airlines.
Indian airlines are expected to lose another $600 million this year. India’s rating agency, ICRA, has expressed fears of further losses for Indian airlines.
The continued air restrictions have put the survival of Indian airlines’ air operations at risk, while Indian airlines are under severe financial pressure due to long routes and additional costs.
Pakistani airlines have been relatively less affected by the airspace closure, with only a few Pakistani flights passing through Indian airspace being diverted to alternative routes.
According to a spokesperson for the Pakistan Airports Authority, it has been decided to maintain the airspace ban on Indian airlines until September 2026.
Along with Indian airlines, military and cargo aircraft cannot use Pakistani airspace.
