Air India Seeks Government Aid Amid Pakistan’s Airspace Closure

New Delhi: India’s aviation authority has temporarily granted Air India permission to extend pilots’ working hours and rest periods on long-haul routes to cope with the closure of Pakistani airspace. According to a memo issued by the aviation authority, the exception will apply for about two weeks starting April 30, and it will affect Airbus and Boeing long-haul jets.
This exception was granted as a short-term measure while a permanent solution is being sought for the issue. The memo specifies that the maximum flight duty period for pilots and cabin crew will be increased. Normally, the maximum flight duty time for a 12-hour flight is 14 hours, but it has now been extended to 16 hours. For flights exceeding 14 hours, the duty period has been extended from 22 hours to 24 hours. Additionally, the rest periods have also been extended by 4 hours for shorter flights and by 12 hours for longer ones.
The temporary measure comes after Pakistan closed its airspace in the wake of an attack on tourists in Indian-administered Kashmir. As a result, Indian airlines have faced higher fuel costs and longer travel times. Air India has now formally requested financial assistance from the Indian government, citing that if the airspace closure continues for a year, the airline will face losses of up to 50 billion rupees. The airline further emphasized that without government subsidies, it would be difficult to sustain services.
Air India’s request for financial aid comes as it continues to grapple with the economic impact of the prolonged airspace closure, with no immediate resolution in sight.