Pakistan's airspace closure cost Indian airlines a loss of Rs5,490 million
Last updated on: 04 July,2019 03:07 pm
The country has opened only two out of 11 routes that go through southern Pakistan.
(Web Desk) – Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said on Wednesday that Indian airlines had suffered a staggering loss of at least Rs549 crore due to Pakistan’s airspace closure since February 27. Puri said that closing the airspace was a “unilateral measure” and that it was up to Islamabad to lift the ban.
The data provided by Puri to the Rajya Sabha showed that private airline SpiceJet had lost Rs30.73 crore till June 20, IndiGo had lost Rs25.1 crore till May 31, and GoAir Rs2.1 crore till June 20, while Air India incurred a loss of Rs491 crore as of July 2.
Pakistan closed its airspace to Indian aircrafts on February 26 after the Indian Air Force (IAF) violated Pakistan’s airspace near the Line of Control (LoC).
The country has opened only two out of 11 routes that go through southern Pakistan.
The closure of routes has affected hundreds of east-to-west flights going over the subcontinent. West-bound aircraft originating from airports from north India have been the worst-affected, The Indian Express reported.
The constraints have not only stretched flight time, but also increased fuel costs and introduced operational difficulties for the airlines. While some airlines started refuel stops for their flights from Delhi to North America, a few others have discontinued their flights.
In June, Prime Minister Narendra Modi opted for a route that took him to Kyrgyzstan’s capital Bishkek for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit via Oman and Iran.
On May 31, the Indian Air Force said it had removed the restrictions on all routes in the Indian airspace imposed on February 27.