Air India Suffers Record $2.3 Billion Loss Following Closure of Pakistani Airspace
New Delhi / Islamabad — India’s aviation sector is facing severe operational and financial pressure following the closure of Pakistani airspace amid tensions between Pakistan and India.
According to the latest report by international aviation news organization FlightGlobal, India’s national carrier, Air India, recorded a loss of approximately $2.3 billion during the financial year ending March 31.
Diversion of Western Routes Drives Up Operational Costs
Air India’s management has identified the closure of Pakistani airspace as one of the major factors contributing to the airline’s financial difficulties.
According to FlightGlobal:
“Following the closure of Pakistani airspace, western routes had to be diverted through longer flight paths, resulting in a substantial increase in fuel and other operational costs for Indian airlines. In addition, rising global fuel prices and economic volatility caused by tensions in the Middle East further intensified the financial pressure.”
Between 400 and 500 Flights Affected Daily
Indian aviation expert Subhash Goyal also highlighted the seriousness of the situation, stating that the continued closure of Pakistani airspace is directly affecting between 400 and 500 Indian flights every day.
The longer routes have reportedly caused delays, increased fuel consumption, and created significant difficulties for both passengers and airlines.
Key Highlights
- Record Loss: Air India suffered an estimated financial loss of $2.3 billion during the financial year ending March 31.
- Impact of Airspace Closure: The inability to use Pakistani airspace forced airlines to adopt longer alternative routes, increasing fuel and operational expenses.
- Number of Affected Flights: Aviation experts estimate that between 400 and 500 Indian flights are affected or delayed each day.
- Global Factors: Rising fuel prices linked to tensions in the Middle East further aggravated the airline’s financial difficulties.