Indian Airlines Cancel Over 10,000 Flights to West Asia Amid US-Iran Conflict
Indian airlines have been forced to cancel more than 10,000 flights to West Asia since the outbreak of the US-Iran war on February 28, according to official statements from the aviation ministry. This significant disruption has led to a drastic reduction in daily flight operations, with numbers plummeting from an average of 300-350 flights per day to just 80-90, as confirmed by Aviation Ministry Joint Secretary Asangba Chuba Ao on Tuesday.
Financial and Operational Challenges Intensify
The cancellation of flights has resulted in substantial monetary losses for airlines, compounded by the need to adopt much longer routes to and from Western destinations. This operational shift comes at a particularly challenging time, as global aviation turbine fuel (ATF) prices have surged, further straining airline finances. Chuba Ao emphasized that the aviation ministry is actively collaborating with all stakeholders to explore various support measures for the industry, particularly airlines, with the goal of reducing costs that could eventually benefit consumers. All measures are being explored to ensure that the sector remains buoyant, he stated, highlighting the ministry's commitment to stabilizing the aviation sector during this crisis.
Regulatory Adjustments and Pilot Fatigue Concerns
In response to the extended flight routes, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has granted a temporary relaxation in flight duty time limitations (FDTL) for pilots operating long-haul flights to and from the west. This adjustment allows fatigued pilots to fly for longer durations than previously permitted, a necessary step given the increased travel times. The relaxation is set to remain in effect until April 30, with Chuba Ao noting that it will be revisited based on the evolving situation. We still have some time. It is an evolving situation and taking into consideration what happens in coming days, this dispensation will be relooked at. If required, we will take the necessary call at that point of time, he explained, indicating potential future revisions depending on ongoing developments.
Fuel Surcharge Hikes Add to Passenger Burden
Meanwhile, airlines are implementing fuel surcharge increases to offset rising ATF costs. Following IndiGo's lead, Air India has announced a revision in fuel surcharges, effective from Wednesday morning. For domestic flights, the surcharge will no longer be a flat Rs 399 but will vary between Rs 299 and Rs 899 based on distance. International flights are also affected:
- SAARC flights: Surcharge increased from Rs 399 to $24.
- West Asia flights: Surcharge set at $50.
- North America and Australia flights: Surcharge revised to $280.
This hike comes as ATF base prices have more than doubled for international flights and increased by 25% for domestic ones, adding further financial pressure on both airlines and passengers amidst the ongoing flight disruptions.
