Key Points
- Major Disruption: Pakistan’s airspace closure for Indian airlines after the Pahalgam terror attack has forced more than 600 flight diversions in less than a week.
- Soaring Costs: Indian carriers face an estimated ₹77 crore in extra weekly costs and over ₹306 crore monthly due to longer routes, extra fuel, and technical halts.
- Flight Time Increases: Flights to North America and Europe are up to 1.5 hours longer; Middle East flights see 45-minute delays.
- Route Cancellations: IndiGo suspends flights to Almaty and Tashkent; other airlines may follow as rerouting makes some destinations unreachable.
- Competitive Disadvantage: Foreign airlines still flying over Pakistan gain a cost edge over Indian carriers on affected routes.
New Delhi: In the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack, escalating tensions between India and Pakistan have spilled into the skies. Pakistan abruptly closed its airspace to Indian airlines starting April 24, triggering a logistical and financial crisis for India’s aviation sector. The move, a direct response to India’s post-attack measures, has forced over 600 Indian international flights to reroute in just six days, with the impact deepening by the day.
How Airlines Are Affected
- Longer Routes, Higher Costs:
Indian carriers, including Air India, IndiGo, Akasa Air, and SpiceJet, now have to take circuitous paths to reach destinations in Europe, North America, the Middle East, and Central Asia. Flights from Delhi and other northern cities are being rerouted over Mumbai and Ahmedabad, then out over the Arabian Sea, adding up to 1.5 hours for transatlantic and European flights, and 45 minutes for Middle East routes. - Cost Breakdown:
- North America: Each 16-hour flight now takes 1.5 hours longer, costing airlines about ₹29 lakh extra per flight.
- Europe: 9-hour flights are also extended by 1.5 hours, with an additional ₹22.5 lakh per flight.
- Middle East: Flights are delayed by 45 minutes, adding ₹5 lakh per flight.
- Aggregate Impact: With over 800 international flights per week from northern cities, the total additional weekly expense is estimated at ₹77 crore, and the monthly burden exceeds ₹306 crore.
- Operational Strain:
The longer flight times mean higher fuel consumption, increased crew hours, and more technical halts for refueling. These factors are straining airline schedules, reducing aircraft availability, and pushing up operational costs. Jet fuel alone accounts for about 25% of airline expenses, making these increases particularly painful.
Flight Cancellations and Route Suspensions
IndiGo, India’s largest airline, has already suspended flights to Almaty and Tashkent, citing operational infeasibility due to the airspace closure. Other carriers are reviewing their schedules and may announce further cancellations if the situation persists.
Competitive Disadvantage
While Indian airlines are forced to take longer, costlier routes, foreign carriers can still use Pakistani airspace, giving them a significant price and time advantage on key international sectors. This could erode the competitiveness of Indian airlines and potentially lead to higher fares for passengers, though industry experts believe the immediate fare hike may be limited.
Industry Response and Outlook
Airlines are scrambling to adjust schedules and minimize disruptions. Over 6,000 international flights are scheduled one-way from India in April alone, with nearly 3,100 two-way flights monthly from the north. If the airspace closure continues, the cumulative financial impact could reach $10–15 million (₹83–124 crore) per month, including both direct and indirect losses.
Pakistan’s closure of its airspace to Indian airlines has unleashed a wave of operational chaos and financial strain, with rerouted flights costing the industry over ₹300 crore a month and forcing major route changes and cancellations. As tensions remain high, Indian carriers face mounting challenges to maintain connectivity, control costs, and compete on the global stage.
