Air India Restores Non-Stop US Flights via Iraq, Expects 10% Fuel Savings
What Happened
Air India has started using Iraqi airspace for its flights connecting Delhi and Mumbai with New York (JFK) and Newark, restoring non-stop services from November 4. The move removes the earlier technical refuelling stop in Rome, which had been required because of regional airspace restrictions. The revised routes are expected to reduce journey times by around four hours, bringing them down from nearly 20 hours to approximately 15–16 hours. The airline also expects around 10% savings in fuel costs and greater flexibility in crew scheduling.
Key Takeaways
By using Iraqi airspace, Air India aims to make its India–New York and Newark flights faster and more cost-efficient. Passengers could save around 3–4 hours, while the airline expects nearly 10% in fuel savings. The change could also improve operational efficiency by eliminating the Rome refuelling stop, subject to regional airspace conditions.