Lok Sabha Question No. 271 (STARRED), answered on 2019-07-11
Subject: Rerouting of Flights
Ministry: CIVIL AVIATION
Asked by: Gajanan Chandrakant Kirtikar, Sougata Ray

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. : 271 (To be answered on the 11th 2019) July

## REROUTING OF FLIGHTS

## *271. SHRI GAJANAN KIRTIKAR PROF SAUGATA RAY

Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION

be pleased to state: -

- (a) whether the Government/ Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has issued any advisory to all Indian airline companies to avoid Iranian airspace and if s0, the details thereof along with the reasons therefor;
- (b) whether rerouting of flights will substantially affect the airline companies and if s0, the details thereof along with the number of flights affected due to this reason;
- (c) whether rerouting of Air India flights will increase the operating cost of the already burdened airlines due to closure of Pakistani airspace and if s0, the details thereof;
- (d) whether this will put additional burden 0n the passengers, if the details thereof and the corrective measures taken/ being taken by the Government in this regard to avoid extra burden on passengers; SO,
- (e) whether some airlines have increased the fare due to route diversion/ increase in operating costs and if s0, the details thereof; and
- (f) whether India has restricted any foreign airlines through Indian airspace and if s0, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

Minister of State (IC) in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION

(Shri Hardeep Singh Puri)

(a) to (f): A statement is laid on the table of the House.

Statement referred in reply to Part () to (f of Lok Sabha Starred Ques. No. 271 regarding "Rerouting of Flights' to be answered on 11.07.2019

- (a): No Sir. However, in view of the advisory issued by the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on 20.06.2019, all airlines in consultation with the Directorate General 0f Civil Aviation(DGCA) have decided to avoid overflying areas of Persian Gulf; Gulf of Oman and Strait of Hormuz within Iranian Airspace to ensure safety.
- (b): Yes Sir: The rerouting Of flights has affected the operations of Indian carriers. The details of rerouted flights are as under:

| MIs Air India Charters Ltd.(Air India Express) flights per day   |           |
|------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------|
| (ii) MIs Interglobe Aviation Ltd (IndiGo) per day                | 2 flights |
| (iii)   Mls Air India Ltd. per day                               | 9 flights |

The said rerouting has resulted in increase in the operating cost 0f Air India Express by Rs; 22 lacs (approx) per and that of Indigo by Rs. 2 lacs (approx:) per day day.

(c): This rerouting of Air India Flights has resulted in an increase in the operating cost by Rs. 13 lacs (approx) per as the flying time has increased by approximately 15 minutes. day

- (d) & (e): No Sir: No additional burden has been put on the passengers and no fare has been increased by airlines due to route diversion/increase in operating costs\_
- (f): No the Government has not placed any restrictions on the operations of foreign airlines over Indian airspace. Sir ,