Closure of Pakistan’s airspace forces Indian Airlines to take longer routes
New Delhi: Pakistan’s decision to close its airspace for Indian carriers has disrupted international flight operations, compelling airlines to adopt longer routes over the Arabian Sea to reach destinations in North America, Europe, the UK, and the Middle East. This action is likely to result in extended flight durations and possible delays for passengers while also increasing operational costs for airlines.
A Civil Aviation Ministry official added that the additional flying time and fuel costs have prompted airlines to approach the ministry seeking operational incentives and confirmed that the rerouting was unavoidable under the current circumstances. This situation mirrors the aftermath of the Pulwama attacks in 2019, when similar airspace restrictions were imposed.
Air India, IndiGo, Air India Express, SpiceJet, and Akasa Air are among the affected carriers. While most airlines have not issued statements regarding fare adjustments, the added costs may lead to future price hikes.
Citing range limitations of its current fleet under the new routing requirements, IndiGo has announced the cancellation of its flights to Almaty in Kazakhstan from April 27 to May 7 and to Tashkent in Uzbekistan from April 28 to May 7. The airline noted that around 50 of its international routes would now involve longer flight paths and slight schedule changes.
Flights from North India to the UAE would now operate on alternate routes and carry additional fuel to accommodate the longer duration, SpiceJet confirmed. Advising customers to expect delays on routes to North America, the UK, Europe, and the Middle East due to the ongoing airspace restrictions, Air India also notified passengers via social media.
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Himachal: Three killed, two injured as speeding car dashes against parked truck
Mandi (HP) (PTI): Three people were killed and two others sustained grievous injuries after a speeding car dashed against a stationary truck at Dadour near Nerchowk in Mandi district on Monday late at night, police said on Tuesday.
There were five people in the car when the tragedy struck. Three were declared dead in the hospital while two have been referred to AIIMS Bilaspur.
The deceased were identified as Anil Kumar (28), Rohit Kumar (26) and Subash Kumar (23), all residents of Mandi district, while the injured are Harish and Pankaj.
A case has been registered under relevant sections and investigations are underway, said Superintendent of Police (SP) Mandi Vinod Kumar.
He added that the bodies have been handed over to the family members of the deceased.
In a statement, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu expressed grief over the loss of three lives in a road accident. He directed the district administration to ensure best possible treatment for the injured and wished them a speedy recovery.
