The closure of Russian airspace for many airlines has affected quite a few flights over the last few days. Russia offers a crucial link between Asia and the West, providing airlines the chance to save both fuel and time. Many international carriers flying to India rely on Russian airspace for efficient operations. With this vast region suddenly out of bounds, the last few days have been quite chaotic for some airlines and passengers.
India-North America sector worst hit
As expected, flights between India and North America dealt the worst blow in the ongoing aviation disruption. Many US carriers flying directly to India have had to rethink their flights to the country.
United Airlines announced on Monday that it has suspended two flights to India – Delhi-San Francisco and Mumbai-Newark, but plans to continue its Delhi-Chicago flight. The closure of Russian airspace means that certain routes to India are just not time and fuel-efficient for United anymore.
According to Reuters, United’s last flights out of Delhi and Mumbai to San Francisco and Newark were on March 2. The flight to Newark had to make a refueling stopover in Bangor, Maine, before continuing to EWR.
Operators are trying to make adjustments as much as possible, but the present situation has stretched the routes really long. The increased flying time and rising fuel prices are forcing airlines such as United to suspend some routes indefinitely.
While American Airlines hasn’t canceled its direct service between New Delhi (DEL) and New York (JFK), flight tracking apps reveal that the carrier has been making inconvenient stops in Bangor in the last few due to avoiding Russian airspace. Air Canada flights out of India have also met the same fate. The carrier’s Delhi-Vancouver flight now heads east, crossing China and Japan before reaching its destination.
Air India, however, continues to take its usual routes to North America, as Indian carriers are still…