Air India is facing a larger operational and cost impact from airspace restrictions than it did last year, as closures linked to the continuing Middle East conflict force its international flights to take longer routes, a senior airline official said on Monday.
The Tata Group-owned carrier has already been flying longer routes to Europe and North America since early last year, after Pakistan closed its airspace to Indian carriers. The airline is now also dealing with restrictions affecting airspace in parts of the Gulf region, adding to the operational pressure on flights connecting India with western destinations.
“It is not just Pakistan’s (airspace closure) impact now; there is also Iran (conflict) impact,” the official said in response to questions about the effect of the restrictions. The official also referred to airspace curbs in countries including Saudi Arabia and Kuwait.
The exact financial impact could not be quantified, according to the official. However, the longer routes increase flying time and fuel consumption. In some cases, flights may also require a stopover, bringing additional expenses such as landing charges.
“The more airspaces are closed, the more southwards flights have to go… the more southwards flights have to go, the more the fuel bill. So, it (airspace curbs) is worse than what we had last year,” the official said.
The disruption affects more than an airline’s fuel budget. Airspace restrictions can alter flight paths, increase time spent in the air and require carriers to adjust schedules or operational arrangements. For passengers, these changes can mean longer journeys and, in some cases, a stopover before reaching the final destination.
Air India’s current exposure reflects the way geopolitical restrictions can quickly affect civil aviation networks. A closure or limitation in one region can push flights into longer southern corridors, while further restrictions in neighbouring airspaces add to the distance and operating complexity. The airline’s comments indicate that the present impact is broader than the Pakistan-related restrictions it has managed since early last year.
The escalating conflict in the Middle East has also been affecting flight and airport operations in the region. The Air India official did not provide a financial estimate or specify how long the current restrictions would remain in place. The airline’s operational costs and route arrangements will therefore depend on the continuation and geographic spread of the airspace curbs.
