THE latest round of geopolitical tensions between India and Pakistan has introduced critical operational constraints for the air cargo sector across South Asia and beyond, reports London area's Air Cargo Week.
Following a deadly attack in Kashmir that left 26 people dead - a tragedy that India has publicly linked to Pakistan-based actors - Pakistan responded by closing its airspace to indian carriers until May 23.
In response, India has barred Pakistani aircraft from its own skies. The mutual restrictions have triggered substantial rerouting of commercial air traffic, with direct and disproportionate consequences for air cargo operations connecting India to Europe, North America and the Middle East.
These developments come at a time when global air cargo networks remain under pressure from shifting trade patterns, volatile fuel markets, and a fragile post-pandemic recovery.
The bilateral airspace closure between two nuclear-armed neighbours is not just a political flashpoint - it is a logistical and economic one with systemic implications for carriers, forwarders, and regulatory planners.
Indian airlines, including Air India, IndiGo, and SpiceJet, have been compelled to implement extended routings to maintain international schedules - particularly on westbound routes toward Europe and the Gulf.
Air India, for instance, has reported an increase of one hour in flight times to destinations such as Dubai and Doha, while Europe-bound flights are facing even longer detours. The implications for cargo are substantial.
Airlines estimate that these diversions are adding as much as US$36.7 million in monthly operational costs, primarily driven by increased fuel burn and crew time, according to data reported by New Delhi's Financial Express.
Fuel remains the single-largest cost component in air cargo operations, and any increase in block times significantly affects payload capacity, aircraft range, and unit economics. This could lead to mounting debt of over $800 million in consolidated losses by the Indian carriers.
SeaNews Turkey
Following a deadly attack in Kashmir that left 26 people dead - a tragedy that India has publicly linked to Pakistan-based actors - Pakistan responded by closing its airspace to indian carriers until May 23.
In response, India has barred Pakistani aircraft from its own skies. The mutual restrictions have triggered substantial rerouting of commercial air traffic, with direct and disproportionate consequences for air cargo operations connecting India to Europe, North America and the Middle East.
These developments come at a time when global air cargo networks remain under pressure from shifting trade patterns, volatile fuel markets, and a fragile post-pandemic recovery.
The bilateral airspace closure between two nuclear-armed neighbours is not just a political flashpoint - it is a logistical and economic one with systemic implications for carriers, forwarders, and regulatory planners.
Indian airlines, including Air India, IndiGo, and SpiceJet, have been compelled to implement extended routings to maintain international schedules - particularly on westbound routes toward Europe and the Gulf.
Air India, for instance, has reported an increase of one hour in flight times to destinations such as Dubai and Doha, while Europe-bound flights are facing even longer detours. The implications for cargo are substantial.
Airlines estimate that these diversions are adding as much as US$36.7 million in monthly operational costs, primarily driven by increased fuel burn and crew time, according to data reported by New Delhi's Financial Express.
Fuel remains the single-largest cost component in air cargo operations, and any increase in block times significantly affects payload capacity, aircraft range, and unit economics. This could lead to mounting debt of over $800 million in consolidated losses by the Indian carriers.
SeaNews Turkey
