Air India Flights to US and Canada Now Use Mongolian Airspace

Air India Adjusts North America Flights Amid Pakistan Airspace Closure

Air India is taking decisive action to manage rising operational costs by rerouting select North America-bound flights through Mongolian airspace. This strategic move is a direct response to the ongoing closure of Pakistan’s airspace, which has significantly impacted flight operations for Indian carriers. Passengers traveling from Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) to destinations in the United States and Canada will experience these changes firsthand.

Air India’s North America Flight Adjustments

The recent modifications primarily affect Air India flights to major cities, including San Francisco (SFO) and Vancouver (YVR). Notably, some of these flights will now include a technical stop in Kolkata (CCU) to ensure operational flexibility.

• Key Routes Affected:
  • San Francisco (SFO)
  • Vancouver (YVR)

Air India, owned by the Tata Group, operates a robust schedule with 71 weekly flights to North America—54 of which depart from Delhi. The airline has adopted alternative flight paths for its long-haul routes to significant destinations like Chicago (ORD), New York (JFK), and Washington (IAD) due to the airspace restrictions imposed by Pakistan since April 24, 2025.

Recent data from Flightradar24 confirms that flights such as AI174 (Delhi-San Francisco) and AI186 (Delhi-Vancouver) have successfully utilized Mongolian airspace. This rerouting not only minimizes costly detours through European airports but also helps maintain cost efficiency for the airline.

Navigating Operational Challenges

The closure of Pakistan’s airspace has resulted in longer flight paths, increased fuel consumption, and heightened pressure on aircraft availability and crew duty cycles for Air India. Under the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) regulations, crew members are limited to a maximum of eight continuous hours of operation. For long-haul flights exceeding 14 hours, airlines are required to deploy two sets of crew members.

By incorporating technical stops in Kolkata, Air India can maintain compliance with DGCA regulations regarding Flying Duty Time Limitation (FDTL) while optimizing operational costs. This approach allows the airline to avoid high landing fees and additional fuel expenses associated with European layovers.

Future Strategies and Contingency Planning

In a recent staff communication, Air India MD and CEO Campbell Wilson emphasized the airline’s commitment to restoring direct operations. He noted the introduction of new technical stops as part of the airline’s broader contingency planning to minimize international layovers and reduce operational costs. Sources indicate that Kolkata is being considered as a primary stopover point for domestic flights, further enhancing operational efficiency.

Geopolitical Tensions and Their Impact on Aviation

The closure of Pakistan’s airspace followed the tragic Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, which resulted in significant casualties. In response, India restricted the use of its airspace for Pakistani airlines starting April 30. While both nations have shown signs of easing tensions, airspace restrictions continue to affect aviation logistics and costs.

Airlines like Air India must remain agile in adapting to these geopolitical challenges to sustain service levels. The ongoing adjustments are crucial for maintaining operational viability during extended periods of restricted airspace.

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