India's Aviation Sector Hit Hard: Pakistan Airspace Ban Adds ₹307 Crore Monthly Burden

New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): Indian airlines are facing significant additional costs due to Pakistan's decision to bar them from using its airspace. The ban, triggered by India's response to a recent terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam, is forcing flights to take longer routes, resulting in increased fuel consumption and operational costs.

Extra Costs Estimated at ₹307 Crore Per Month

According to estimates, Indian airlines will incur an extra cost of ₹77 crore per week, which translates to over ₹307 crore per month. The additional cost is attributed to longer flight times, increased fuel consumption, and other operational expenses.

Flight Time and Cost Impact

For flights from North India to international destinations, the additional time can range from 45 minutes to 1.5 hours, depending on the route. The estimated extra cost per flight is:

 ₹29 lakh for North America flights (1.5 hours extra)

 ₹22.5 lakh for European flights (1 hour extra)

 ₹5 lakh for Middle East flights (45 minutes extra)

Impact on Indian Airlines

Indian airlines are expected to operate over 6,000 international flights (one way) in April, with nearly 800 weekly flights from North Indian cities to destinations like North America, Europe, and the Middle East. The extra flying time is estimated to add up to ₹90 crore per month for narrow-body aircraft and ₹306 crore per month for wide-body planes.

Operational Challenges

Besides higher fuel costs, airlines are also facing challenges like limited crew flying time, fewer aircraft availability and weight restrictions. Some airlines have already cancelled flights or announced schedule changes due to these restrictions.