Air India has started rerouting several North America-bound flights through Mongolian airspace to address the rising operational costs triggered by the ongoing closure of Pakistani airspace. This strategic move is primarily impacting flights departing from Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport, especially those en route to destinations in the United States and Canada.
Among the affected routes are Air India flights to San Francisco and Vancouver. In some cases, these journeys now also include a technical halt in Kolkata. These adjustments are part of the airline’s efforts to maintain efficiency while coping with regulatory constraints and increasing fuel demands.
Currently owned by the Tata Group, Air India operates 71 flights each week to North America. Of these, 54 originate from New Delhi. Following Pakistan’s decision to bar Indian carriers from using its airspace on April 24, 2025, Air India was compelled to adopt new flight paths for its long-haul services to cities like Chicago, New York, Washington, San Francisco, Newark, Toronto, and Vancouver.
Flight tracking data from Flightradar24 has confirmed that flights AI174, traveling from San Francisco to Delhi, and AI186, flying from Vancouver to Delhi, have recently made use of Mongolian airspace. This adjustment mostly affects flights on the Pacific corridor and aims to avoid the need for detours through Europe, which are both time-consuming and costly.
The inclusion of Kolkata as a technical stop allows Air India to remain flexible while sidestepping the substantial costs associated with refueling or swapping crew at European airports. These strategic changes also help the airline comply with the Directorate General of Civil Aviation’s regulations on Flying Duty Time Limitation. This DGCA policy limits how long a flight crew can work continuously, which becomes especially significant on ultra-long-haul flights.
The repercussions of Pakistan’s airspace closure have rippled through Indian aviation operations. The trigger for this move was India’s retaliation following the terror attack in Pahalgam, which led to increased tension and the subsequent ban on Pakistani airlines using Indian airspace beginning April 30. With Pakistan’s reciprocal restrictions still in place, Indian carriers like Air India have had to adapt swiftly.
The longer routes resulting from the ban have caused a spike in fuel consumption and placed additional pressure on aircraft usage and crew scheduling. As per DGCA regulations, crew members are limited to a maximum of eight hours of continuous operation. For flights longer than 14 hours—such as those connecting Delhi with San Francisco—airlines are required to assign two separate crews. By making in-country stops, such as in Kolkata, Air India can seek extended duty approvals from the DGCA without violating the prescribed limits.
One of the key advantages of avoiding European stopovers is the reduction in landing charges and additional fuel burn, both of which can significantly impact an airline’s bottom line. These efficiency-driven decisions are vital for Air India to continue operating ultra-long-haul flights without compromising financial sustainability.
Campbell Wilson, Air India’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, addressed the situation in an internal communication with employees dated May 2. In the memo, he confirmed the airline had made temporary adjustments to routes serving Europe and North America. He also noted that new technical stops had been introduced and highlighted the company’s ongoing efforts to reestablish direct flights by finding workable alternatives.
According to sources within the airline, Air India is also evaluating other Indian cities as potential domestic stopover hubs to avoid overseas layovers and keep international expenses down. Kolkata is one of the key cities being considered for such contingency planning.
The broader geopolitical tensions are central to this disruption. The closure of Pakistani airspace followed the April 22 attack in Pahalgam, which resulted in 26 deaths. In response, India barred Pakistani carriers from flying through its skies, beginning April 30. Although there have been some signs of reduced hostilities between the two nations, airspace closures are still in effect.
These political developments have immediate consequences for aviation, affecting both logistics and financial planning. Airlines are forced to act quickly, adjusting routes, reworking crew rosters, and seeking regulatory approvals while keeping service quality intact and costs under control.
Despite these challenges, Air India’s shift to alternative flight paths, particularly over Mongolia and through domestic waypoints like Kolkata, reflects the airline’s commitment to operational resilience. These strategies are not only helping the airline navigate through international airspace restrictions but also ensuring compliance with Indian aviation rules while maintaining customer service continuity.
The adaptation showcases how airlines like Air India must be nimble and resourceful when dealing with unexpected disruptions. The Mongolian corridor, while longer than the previously used Pakistani airspace, still allows the airline to manage long-haul operations without completely sacrificing efficiency or increasing layover durations unnecessarily.
Furthermore, the use of domestic technical stops plays a crucial role in minimizing delays, managing crew shifts, and preventing the need for costly overnight stays or logistical rearrangements at international airports. The airline’s ability to stay within regulatory frameworks while exploring creative alternatives shows how major carriers respond to geopolitical stress with calculated precision.
In summary, Air India’s decision to reroute some of its North America-bound flights through Mongolian airspace and incorporate technical stops like Kolkata is a proactive step in managing the fallout from the ongoing airspace restrictions imposed by Pakistan. As the airline works toward restoring direct operations to key international destinations, it continues to focus on operational flexibility, cost control, and compliance with Indian aviation laws.
As Campbell Wilson stated, “The airline has temporarily adjusted routes to Europe and North America,” and remains focused on “restoring direct operations by identifying viable alternatives.” With ongoing planning and adaptive strategies, Air India is attempting to ensure minimal disruption to passengers while staying competitive during an uncertain period for international aviation.