News Desk
NEW DEHLI: Air India’s chief executive, Campbell Wilson, has said the airline has suffered an estimated loss of ₹5,000 crore due to Pakistan’s continued airspace closure for Indian flights over the past year.
In an interview with Indian media, Wilson revealed that nearly 1,000 flights have been affected since the restrictions came into effect. He explained that the longer flight routes have forced the airline to fly lighter, sometimes leaving 20 to 30 seats deliberately unoccupied to manage fuel loads.
“The decision on whether airspace reopens is ultimately one for the government to pursue through dialogue,” Wilson said, adding that the disruption has been costly not just financially, but also operationally.
Pakistan had restricted its airspace for Indian carriers in response to diplomatic tensions. The closure has particularly impacted Air India’s flights to Europe and North America, which now take longer routes and incur higher fuel and operational costs.
