Pakistan airspace ban; Air India pushes govt to support the carrier and compensate it for losses

Air India may face a huge financial loss of around $600 million if Pakistan’s airspace ban continues for a full year. The airline has asked the Indian government to offer financial support to cover the extra cost.

The ban came after an attack on tourists in Indian-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). In response, Pakistan closed its airspace to Indian airlines. This move has caused long detours and more fuel use for Indian flights, especially those flying to Europe, the U.S., and Canada.

According to a letter seen by Reuters, Air India sent a request to the Civil Aviation Ministry on April 27. The airline asked for a “subsidy model” to reduce the financial damage. It said the losses could reach more than 50 billion Indian rupees each year.

“The closure of Pakistan’s airspace affects us the most,” Air India wrote. “We need more fuel and more crew due to longer flight routes.”

Air India has not officially commented. The Civil Aviation Ministry has also not responded yet.

Sources say the Indian government is now reviewing the situation. Officials met with airlines, including IndiGo, to discuss solutions. One idea is to reroute planes through areas closer to Chinese airspace, though this may be challenging.

Air India also asked the government to talk with Chinese authorities for overflight permissions. It requested approval to carry extra pilots on long flights to North America to manage longer flying times.

Air India, owned by the Tata Group, already faces problems such as delays in new planes and reported a $520 million loss last year.

If the ban continues, the Indian airline industry could face more financial pressure. The government is now working on ways to protect the aviation sector.