Tata Group promoted Air India has started operating flights to some destinations in North America from Delhi via a special air corridor over Mongolia.
According to industry sources, after much internal research and deliberations, the airline has zeroed in on a route that bypasses Pakistan.
“This route saves fuel, time and is efficient in terms of employability of adequate load factors,” one of the sources said.
For some of these flights from Delhi that are taking the Mongolia route, Air India is making use of Kolkata as a technical stop.
The development comes after the airline conducted ‘payload’ studies to determine the most efficient manner in which to operate its flights to some destinations in North America given the current security situation and closure of Pakistan’s airspace.
At present, the airline operates over 50 flights each week to cities in continental United States and Canada, from its hub in New Delhi.
The Tata Group-promoted airline can operate non-stop direct flights from India to the US and Canada with its fleet of Boeing 777s and Airbus A350 aircraft.
However, Air India has to employ a longer route to bypass Pakistan’s airspace. It also makes technical stops for refuelling at Vienna or Copenhagen.
These technical stops, though effective in maintaining flight operations, are exorbitantly expensive.
Besides, the airline had to make payload adjustments such as ferrying lower cargo loads, as well as 50 fewer passengers depending on the wind conditions.
“There was a proposal to have a one stop domestic technical stop at either Mumbai or Ahmedabad. However, payload studies have shown that the air corridor above Mongolia is the most efficient route.”
In addition, sources said Air India would use this route until normalcy is completely restored and airspace access allowed.