Pahalgam Attack: No compromise on security, airspace freeze will increase airlines’ spending by 77 million every week
New Delhi| Indian airlines may have to bear an additional weekly expense of Rs 77 crore for international flights operating from North Indian cities, as Pakistan’s airspace restrictions will increase fuel consumption and also lengthen flight duration. An analysis of the calculations made on the basis of the number of foreign flights and increased flight duration and estimated expenditure has shown that the additional monthly operating costs could exceed Rs 306 crore. Pakistan had restricted its airspace for Indian airlines amid rising tensions between India and Pakistan due to the Pahalgam terror attack.
1.5 hours extended time, 22.5 lakh rupees additional expenses
Close to 1,900 of the total monthly flights are operated for the Middle East by narrow-body aircraft and a few wide-body aircraft. The total expenditure will be around Rs 90 crore taking into account the additional cost of Rs 5 lakh per flight for an additional 45 minutes.
Additional time for a 16-hour flight to the U.S. would be about 1.5 hours
Due to the alternative flight route the flight time for international flights from Delhi and North Indian cities has increased to 1.5 hours. A senior airline industry official said the extra time for a 16-hour flight to North America would be around 1.5 hours. The cost will be around Rs 29 lakh for an additional 1.5 hours. It also includes landing and parking fees due to technical stops at the airport along the way.
What will happen for Europe and West Asia?
For a 9-hour flight to Europe, the additional flight time would be around 1.5 hours and the additional cost would be around Rs 22.5 lakh. In case of flights to the Middle East, the extra time will be around 45 minutes and will cost around Rs 5 lakh.
More than 6,000 flights to international destinations
Indian airlines are scheduled to operate more than 6,000 flights to various international destinations in April, according to aviation analysis firm Cirium. More than 800 weekly flights are operated by Indian Airlines from North Indian cities to overseas destinations including North America, Britain, Europe and the Middle East, according to data from Cirium.
