Air India CEO Campbell Wilson said at an event last month that the airline had suffered ₹4,000 crore in losses in recent months due to Pakistan’s overflight restrictions, which have lengthened flight times to North America and Europe.

Pakistan closed its airspace to India on April 24, two days after the Pahalgam terror attack, for one month. India responded in kind. Since then, both countries have extended the closure through monthly NOTAMs, leaving the restrictions in place for nearly seven months now.

The Tata Group assumed ownership of Air India in January 2022. The airline has also faced major financial strain following the fatal crash of AI171 on June 12 in Ahmedabad, which killed 260 people and led to substantial compensation payouts.

Travel time to the US has increased by at least three hours, alongside higher fuel consumption. The Ministry of Civil Aviation was asked for its comments but was yet to respond.