Following Pakistan’s decision to close its airspace for Indian airlines, more than 250 Indian airlines have been significantly affected in just past three days.
On April 24, the National Security Committee (NSC), meeting chaired by Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif, with the attendance of Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Syed Asim Munir and other top civil and military leaders decided to shut down Pakistan’s airspace to Indian airlines.
It further decided to suspend all trade ties and cancel all visas under Indian SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme.
The strong reply was in response to the Indian baseless allegation at Pakistan for the Pahalgam attack in Indian Occupied Kashmir when Modi-led government decided to unilaterally suspend the Indus Waters Treaty.
Pakistan, in response, gave a clear message that if India attempts to divert its rightful waters then Pakistan would take it as “an act of war.”
Losses to Indian Airlines
Following the closure of Pakistan’s airspace for Indian airlines, media reports reveal that Indian and foreign passengers are opting for other airlines instead of local airlines.
The primary reason for this is because these airlines have to take a much longer route because they cannot fly over Pakistan’s airspace.
According to civil aviation sources, the duration of their airlines’ flights has increased by 2 to 4 hours due to the closure of Pakistan’s airspace.
Indian airlines’ flights on long-haul routes, including those to the US, UK and European countries, have also been delayed by 2 to 10 hours.
Indian airlines are also facing losses in terms of additional fuel, airport parking charges, and hotel expenses. Flights from New Delhi, Mumbai, Amritsar to the US, Canada, and the UK are delayed for hours.
Aviation sources say that due to the uncertainty of flight schedules, Indian and foreign passengers are booking tickets with other airlines instead of Indian airlines.
Indian airlines are also facing additional costs in terms of additional fuel for flights, additional engineering costs, airport parking charges and hotel expenses.
Moreover, flights to Germany, Denmark, the Netherlands, Switzerland are also facing delays of hours.
Likewise, Indian flights to Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Muscat, Baku, Sharjah and Dubai are also facing additional fuel costs and additional time.
In addition to the increase in costs, Indian airline staff are also facing difficulties due to increased duty time and reduced rest.
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