India's air corridor shrinks as conflict in W Asia expands

Saurabh.Sinha

New Delhi: The "usable" corridor in West Asia - a key route for flights between India and Europe, UK and North America - is shrinking with the Israel-Iran war theatre expanding.

From Friday, Air India changed its route slightly to fly more to the southern side of Saudi Arabia after entering the country from Oman as Riyadh is also being targeted now. This has added another 20-30 minutes to its long flights.




"While as of now we are operating our schedule to Europe, the UK and North America taking the longer route, if the same gets even longer we may have to cut some of our flights as the operating costs will get even higher," an airline executive said. AI has done route studies to explore options available, if things get even worse in the Gulf.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Thursday issued an urgent "safety advisory" in wake of the "escalation in security risks" in the region. Since the situation is extremely volatile and dynamic, operators have been asked to make an assessment in real time before operating flights in the region.

The difference between DGCA's earlier March 11 and Thursday's directive is that the airspace hazard description now includes "weapons interceptions". Now, airlines have been asked to operate above 32,000 feet in certain airspaces in Saudi and Oman that are currently being used for overflying.

Third, airlines have to now implement "robust monitoring and risk assessment processes". Finally, they have to advise crew of airborne flights with latest notice to airmen (NOTAM) and airspace restrictions.

The conflict is rapidly expanding into new areas, said airline executives.

As operating costs will rise exponentially, airlines may cut flights as fares will rise further allowing essential travel only. Indian airlines are waiting for the month-end and fear a steep rise in jet fuel prices. The challenge for Indian airlines has spiked as they are unable to use Pakistan's airspace due to the outbreak of recent hostilities.
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