Post Balakot, Air India Has Lost Rs 300 Crore After Pakistan Shut Airspace For Indian Planes

Air India is suffering massive losses since February as its long-haul flights are taking longer to reach destinations in Europe, the Gulf and the US from New Delhi. Air India has suffered a loss of Rs 300 crore in the past three months because of the closure of Pakistan¡¯s airspace.

The Pakistan airspace has remained shut for traffic to and from India ever since hostilities broke out between the two countries, following the Pulwama suicide bombing in Jammu and Kashmir on February 14.

The aircraft fleet operating from New Delhi are taking longer routes and spending longer time in air, consequently incurring a loss of Rs 6 crore on extra fuel, cabin staff expenses and reduced flights.

Reuters

Air India flights from New Delhi to US now take 2-3 hours extra one way due to airspace restrictions. Flights to Europe are taking almost two hours more resulting in financial loss.

The airspace restriction came into effect a few days after an air strike by the Indian Air Force on Jaish-e-Mohammad terror camp in Pakistan¡¯s Balakot on February 27.

Almost the entire air traffic from South East Asia to Europe has also been impacted as they would pass through north India into Pakistan and onwards, reported IANS.