Pakistan has closed its airspace to Indian airlines, and as a result, Air India announced on Thursday that its flights travelling to or from North America, the United Kingdom, Europe, and the Middle East will now follow longer, alternative routes. These changes are necessary to avoid flying over Pakistani territory, which could lead to increased travel time and higher fuel costs.
What Air India Said
“Air India regrets the inconvenience caused to our passengers due to this unforeseen airspace closure that is outside our control. We would like to reiterate that at Air India, the safety of our customers and crew remains top priority,” said Air India
“To check if your flight is affected by this disruption, please call our Contact Centre on 011 69329333, 011 69329999 or visit our website http://airindia.com,” added airline.
Will The Extended Flight Route Raise Your Airfare?
As of now, there is no official confirmation of a fare hike. However, industry speculation suggests that Pakistan’s airspace closure may force international flights to and from India to increase fares to offset the additional fuel and operational costs of longer routes.
Due to Pakistan closing its airspace, airlines like Air India now have to take longer routes for flights to North America, Europe, the UK, and the Middle East. These longer paths mean planes need more fuel, crews work longer hours, and overall flight operations cost more. Experts say airlines might increase ticket prices to cover these extra costs. Passengers should stay informed about possible delays or fare hikes.
Fuel Cost Impact
Planes will have to burn more fuel on longer routes, which is one of the biggest costs for airlines. For example, an additional hour of flight time can increase fuel costs by thousands of dollars. This affects overall airline budgets and may lead to higher ticket prices for passengers.
Such Cases Around The World..
In 2019, after tensions with Pakistan, Indian flights to Europe were rerouted, causing delays and higher fuel costs. Additionally, during the Russia-Ukraine conflict, many airlines avoided Russian airspace, adding hours to routes between Europe and Asia and significantly raising costs. Furthermore, In all such cases, airlines typically passed some of the extra expenses onto passengers. Industry insiders estimate that fuel costs alone could rise by 10-15% per flight, depending on the route, putting financial pressure on airlines already operating on thin margins. The situation is unclear because no one knows how long Pakistan’s airspace will stay closed. If the closure continues for a long time, it could cause more problems for airlines. They may spend more money and face difficulties managing their flights.
