Airspace curbs hit Air India harder than last year

Air India is facing a more severe impact from airspace restrictions compared to last year, according to a senior executive. The airline is experiencing longer flying times and additional expenses due to the recent crisis in the Middle East. The restrictions have caused the company to take longer routes for its European and North American flights since early 2022, following the closure of Pakistan airspace for Indian carriers.

Now, the airline is also dealing with airspace curbs in various Gulf countries amidst the ongoing Middle East conflict.

A senior Air India official stated that while it is challenging to quantify the exact impact, the situation is significantly worse than what the airline faced last year. The official explained that the more airspaces that are closed, the further south the flights must go, leading to increased fuel consumption and higher costs. Some flights are even being diverted to take stopovers, resulting in additional expenses such as landing charges.

The escalation in the Middle East conflict, particularly related to Iran, has further exacerbated the challenges faced by Air India. The senior executive emphasized that the situation is now compounded by the Middle East conflict, making it more difficult for the airline to manage its operations and financial impact.