Lahore:
While the Ban Pakistan airspace was slapped on Indian carriers for forty days, the Air India cost of heavy consumption, announced sources of aviation on Wednesday.
The Indian national carrier has already taken a blow of more than 8.2 billion rupees since the start of the closure.
According to well -placed aviation initiates, Air India bleeds around 200 million rupees each day due to longer alternative tracks, an increase in fuel consumption and delays triggered by the detour of airspace.
In a sign of growing frustration, the chief executive officer of Air India, Campbell Wilson, officially wrote to the Indian government, stressing the extent of financial damage.
In the letter, Wilson would have warned that continuous restrictions could make air operations insidible if they are not treated soon.
According to the Economic Times, an internal presentation has shown that Air India had, at the end of last year, an objective to become profitable by exercise 27. However, the closure of the Pakistani airspace for Indian carriers is likely to delay this.
“It will take a little more time to realize what we want to achieve, but it was a five -year project at the start,” said Wilson in the interview with The Economic Times, referring to the five -year transformation plan “Vihaan” announced in September 2022.
“The closure of the Pakistani airspace, which started on April 24, forced India air flights to North America to take detours and stop in Vienna or Copenhagen to refuel, resulting in an increase in expenses,” noted the report.
“It is not insignificant, but … as long as it covers the cost of the operation, we will continue to operate,” said Wilson. “We do not know to what extent the results will be affected. We will try to minimize the effect.”
CEO’s concerns are not limited to Air India alone. Other Indian carriers would also have undergone billions of rupees in cumulative losses, although precise estimates remain uncompromising.
“It is not only turbulence, it is a full -fledged storm for Indian aviation,” said a senior aviation official, noting that the 40 -day closure has changed the flight logistics, an increase in operational costs and complicated international schedules for Indian carriers.
The airspace restrictions, which entered into force following increased diplomatic tensions, have now finished 40 days, without a view. For airlines forced to get around the Pakistani airspace, the sky is not only the limit but also an expensive detour.
While the ban continues, industry experts warn that Indian carriers may soon be forced to reduce routes or hike, passing the burden to passengers, unless diplomatic channels find a way to clean air.
