The closure of Russian and EU airspace has forced airlines to use alternative routes, adding extra time and operating costs.
British Airways added one hour of flight time from India to London, while Aeroflot added three hours from Serbia to Moscow.
Analysts say creative routes could increase airfare and freight prices.
The closure of airspace over Russia and the European Union has forced airlines to devise alternative routes to avoid restrictions, adding hours of flight time and thousands of additional operating costs.
On Sunday, the EU closed its airspace to “any aircraft owned, chartered or otherwise controlled by a Russian legal entity or individual” as part of broad sanctions to punish Russian President Vladimir Putin. Russia responded with its own restrictions shortly afterwards.
The Russian airline Aeroflot was one of the first airlines to feel the impact of the closure of airspace. On Sunday, the airline flew from Belgrade, Serbia, to Moscow, which usually flies north through Eastern Europe to its destination in Russia.
However, due to the newly imposed EU airspace restrictions, the plane had to fly around Bulgaria and through Turkey to reach Russian airspace, according to FlightRadar24. The detour set the flight time to five hours and 45 minutes – three hours longer than the usual flight of two and a half hours.
Meanwhile, the Sydney-based Qantas changed the route of its flight from Australia to London, flying over the Middle East and Southern Europe instead of Russia. In addition, British Airways has adjusted its route from New Delhi to London, adding one hour to flight time.
Although American carriers do not fly to airports in Russia or Ukraine, they had to correct some of their routes in the region. United Airlines told its employees on Tuesday that it will stop using Russian airspace for flights to and from India, The Points Guy reported.
Analysts say detours increase fuel, labor and maintenance costs, which could lead to an increase in passenger tickets and freight prices. New York-based aviation consultant Robert Mann told ABC News that diverted passenger planes could cost airlines between $ 4,000 and $ 12,000 an hour.
For example, the cargo department of the German carrier Lufthansa said it had to carry up to 20% less cargo due to longer flight times, according to The Wall Street Journal. The carrier is currently evading Russian airspace by flying south of the country.
“Some routes will simply become uneconomical or impractical,” Mann said.
Instead of diverting, some carriers have chosen to suspend flights instead. London-based Virgin Atlantic Airways has suspended flights between London and Shanghai, Finnair has suspended flights to airports in Japan, China and South Korea, and Singapore Airlines has suspended flights to Moscow, according to the WSJ.
The closure of airspace could also affect aircraft lessors, who have to return aircraft blocked in Russia. On Sunday, the EU asked aircraft leasing companies to cancel their contracts with Russian airlines by March 28th, which means those planes will have to be returned to their foreign owners.
However, Russian carriers and the nation’s government could impose obstacles to make the task a logistical nightmare.
“The government may choose to challenge landlords’ ability to reclaim these aircraft, arguing that Aeroflot does no harm by operating the aircraft in the country,” Henry Harteveld, an analyst and president of the Atmosphere Research Group, told Insider.
“Who will fly these planes from Russia? How will the airlines bring their Russian pilots back home?” He continued. “All the logistics need to be clarified.”
Read the original article in Business Insider