Pakistan has decided to extend the airspace ban on Indian flights by one more month, starting today.
According to aviation sources, Pakistan initially closed its airspace to Indian flights on April 24 following tensions between the two countries. On May 23, the ban was extended for another month, which was set to expire today. However, authorities have now decided to prolong the restriction for an additional month.
A NOTAM (Notice to Airmen) in this regard will be issued later today.
It should be noted that India, in response, has also closed its airspace to Pakistani flights.
Due to the closure of Pakistani airspace, Indian airlines have suffered losses exceeding Rs800 crore in just one month. If the restriction continues and the Indian government fails to provide special assistance as demanded by the airlines, the airlines may have to make extraordinary and significant decisions to keep operations running.
Sources say that Indian airlines have suffered a fuel-related blow of approximately Rs500 crore in the first month, while the estimated cost of stopovers over 30 days is Rs3 billion. According to experts, a Boeing 777 consumes 6,668 kg of fuel per hour, and an Airbus A319, 320, or 321 uses an average of 2,400 kg of fuel per hour.
Indian airline flights are having to fly an additional 2 to 4 hours, and in calculations here, 150 hours have been considered. For flights to and from the US, Canada, Europe, the UK, and other countries, 75 Boeing and 75 Airbus aircraft flying two extra hours daily consume additional fuel worth $557,625.
