Air India has reported a major annual loss of nearly $2.3 billion. The airline says a large part of this loss comes from Pakistan’s continued closure of its airspace to Indian flights.
According to aviation publication FlightGlobal, the restrictions forced Air India to change routes for many western-bound flights. These longer paths increased fuel use and flying times, raising operational costs significantly.
The airline also pointed to higher fuel prices linked to the US-Iran conflict and wider economic challenges as other reasons for the loss. Indian aviation expert Subhash Goyal noted that the airspace closure has affected between 400 and 500 flights operated by Indian carriers.
The prolonged ban has placed lasting pressure on India’s aviation sector. Airlines have had to absorb extra costs for fuel, crew, and longer journeys.
Air India’s loss highlights how geopolitical tensions can impact the aviation industry. The airline is working to manage these challenges while dealing with higher costs and route changes caused by the ongoing airspace restrictions.
