As Pak shuts airspace, longer flights, price hikes expected

AIRLINES ARE EXPECTED TO SPEND 15% MORE FUEL FOR FLIGHTS TO THE UK AND AROUND 10% MORE FUEL FOR NORTH AMERICAN DESTINATIONS

- Neha LM Tripathi

NEW DELHI: Pakistan's move on Thursday to close its airspace to Indian-registered aircraft and airlines will result in longer flights to Europe, North America and the Middle East from northern India and higher airfares on these routes, experts said.

Experts expected a 30% increase in airfares for flights to the Middle East and around 40% increase in ticket prices for Europe and North America as a consequence of Pakistan's move.

The restrictions were part of Islamabad's response to India's diplomatic curbs on Pakistan announced on Wednesday in retaliation to the terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir that killed 26 people on April 21. Pakistan civil aviation authority (PCAA) later issued a notice to pilots and other stakeholders alerting them of the closure.