Flight disruptions risk economy
Amid growing concerns over ongoing disruptions in flight operations and air routes, economic nationalist and regional expert has warned that despite the government's efforts to manage the crisis, the absence of a robust financial strategy could lead to severe economic, aviation, and fiscal losses.
One of the leading experts Dr Mehmoodul Hassan Khan said, "Air travel will become expensive, unattractive and unproductive making it tough for our aviation companies and industry which immediately requires true, open and transparent analysis. Tourism, hotelier, cultural and even corporate activities will be compromised in the country."
He suggested that in case of increasing financial irritants, the surplus credit liquidity of the domestic banking industry, drifting of funds from public development programmes (PSDP) and salaries of the parliament members may also be used.
Moreover, the relevant ministry and Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) and other private carriers should jointly prepare make-shift arrangements and consult friendly countries mainly the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan for opening an ideal alternative and accommodative routes.
Dr Khan further anticipated that in case of any unprecedented situation, "Air travel will become expensive, unattractive and unproductive, making it tough for our aviation companies and industry which immediately requires true, open and transparent analysis. "The situation could also compromise the country's tourism, hotelier, cultural and even corporate activities that could strain the economy," he added.
Since the government and armed forces are determined to defend the national pride, sovereignty and territorial integrity, peace will prevail at any cost and India's military offensive will be thwarted, he believed.
While criticising India for its blatant disregard of territorial norms, he voiced concern that prolong military escalation may further lower profitability, market share and comfort industries of both the countries while it will directly affect tourism sector. It will push operating costs, as airlines are now staring at slimmer margins, as all are battling it out in an already cut-throat market.
Moreover, the Indian Civil Aviation Ministry has started to consult Indian carriers to check the fallout and explore possible relief modus operandi.
Citing the situation on the other side of the border, he said, reportedly, budget airline IndiGo has cancelled its flights to Almaty in Kazakhstan and Tashkent in Uzbekistan. Airline Air India is expecting flights to or from North America, UK, Europe, and Middle East to take longer extended routes. SpiceJet also shared a similar advisory.
In such a situation, expenses of catering services, medical preparedness and alternate aerodromes, customer service and support readiness, and intra- departmental coordination will be high, further marginalising their ratios of profitability. When refuelling stops, expenses also jump high.
The closure is likely to significantly impact flight heading to Central Asian countries such as Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Georgia, which are rapidly emerging as preferred destinations for aviation travellers. This can also impact Indian airlines too, as it miss out on revenues from these sectors, especially as non-Indian airlines will be able to fly over Pakistan airspace. Some of these routes might not survive.
However, according to Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA)'s statement issued on Friday, after a brief suspension of flight operation, it has been restored at Allama Iqbal International Airport, Lahore. Moreover, flight operations at other airports of the country continue as usual, up to the expectation of the passengers as well as the people of Pakistan.