India has once again extended its airspace closure for Pakistani airlines until August 24, mirroring a similar move by Pakistan, in an ongoing tit-for-tat aviation standoff.
The Ongoing Airspace Standoff
The latest extension by India comes after Pakistan announced it would keep its airspace closed to Indian aircraft and airlines for another month, also until August 24. This reciprocal action has become a monthly routine between the two nations.
The airspace closure began in April, following escalating diplomatic tensions and a terror attack in Pahalgam. Pakistan first shut its airspace to Indian flights on April 24, with India responding in kind on April 30. Since then, both countries have been issuing monthly “Notice to Airmen” (NOTAMs) to extend the ban.
It’s important to note that this closure only affects each other’s airlines and aircraft. The airspaces of both India and Pakistan remain open for overflying by airlines from other countries.
How Indian Airlines Are Affected
The ongoing closure significantly impacts Indian airlines, particularly those operating flights from North India to destinations in West Asia, Europe, the UK, and North America. Approximately 800 weekly flights are being forced to take longer routes.
These detours add anywhere from 15 minutes to several hours to journey times, leading to increased fuel consumption and various operational complexities. Crew and flight scheduling also become more challenging for carriers.
Air India, which operates numerous west-bound international and ultra-long-haul flights, is one of the most affected. The airline estimates the airspace closure could cost it around $600 million annually. IndiGo, another major Indian carrier, has even had to suspend flights to Central Asian cities like Almaty and Tashkent from Delhi because the new routes are beyond the operational range of its current aircraft fleet.
In 2019, when Pakistan’s airspace was closed for over four months, Indian airlines reportedly incurred losses of around Rs 700 crore due to higher fuel costs and operational issues.
Minimal Impact on Pakistan
In contrast, Pakistan’s aviation sector has faced a relatively insignificant impact from India’s airspace closure. Pakistan’s national flag carrier, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), has a limited international footprint, primarily serving routes to the west of the country.
According to aviation data, only about six weekly PIA flights, specifically to and from Kuala Lumpur, routinely overflew India. This minimal number underscores why the ban has not had a substantial financial or operational effect on Pakistani airlines.
- India and Pakistan have extended their mutual airspace closures until August 24.
- The ban started in April following heightened diplomatic tensions.
- Indian airlines face significant financial losses and operational challenges due to longer routes.
- Pakistan’s struggling aviation sector sees minimal impact from India’s ban.
As the standoff continues, the financial burden on Indian carriers remains a key concern, with no immediate resolution in sight.
