[MartinJ]

Title says it all really. Both companies are Indian-registered and should face the same (lack of) restrictions regarding the use of Russian air space. It seems that Air India are still using it while Vistara are avoiding it. (This is reflected in Vistara taking about 90 minutes longer on the DEL-FRA route, going through Pakistan and Iran.) Any ideas why?

[FDOS]

Assumption: AI is more sensitive to political pressures.

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cwoodward

[AMcWhirter]

[quote quote=1348675]Title says it all really. Both companies are Indian-registered and should face the same (lack of) restrictions regarding the use of Russian air space.[/quote]

That is true.

But another reason could be the fact that USSR (at that time) never signed the 1944 ICAO freedoms of the air agreement.

It means that not only do airlines have to negotiate overflying rights with Russia but they must also pay a Royalty fee for the right to overfly.

Some airlines refuse to pay Royalty fees and/or are unable to reach agreement with Russia.

Nevertheless a number of Asian airlines (who could overfly Russia) now take longer routes to Europe.

The fact that Air India continues to use Russian airspace means it can offer non-stop flights to North America.

This gives Air India a competitive advantage over North American carriers.

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Luc Jones, Inquisitive, Swissdiver, cwoodward

[superchris]

it might also be that Vistaras insurance company prohibits them flying over Russia.

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Luc Jones, AMcWhirter, cwoodward

[AndrewinHK]

I assume it has something to do with SQ owning 49% of Vistara, and the board making a decision to align with most other international carriers and avoid Russian airspace for safety reasons, insurance and lease conditions likely are also a factor.

A side thought, as traffic volumes return to normal from China/India to Europe, one would have thought the EU will face more pressure from home carriers to do something about the competitive advantage Chinese/Indian carriers have by continuing to use Russian airspace, what could be done? Might be an interesting thread to prophesize. Banning airlines that overfly Russian airspace from landing in Europe? This would be a severe escalation for sure, but if tensions ratchet up and the EU carriers start to push the EC, anything is possible.

[AMcWhirter]

This morning @Vinamralongani travelled Delhi-London LHR.

Although his Vistara flight departed before the Air India service the latter beat it to London by overflying Russia (unlike Vistara).

This tweet explains matters. Two illustrations show key parts of the routings.

My @airvistara (UK) flight to #London UK17 (I am onboard in seat 1A) departed #Delhi– @delhiairport before the @airindiain (AI) flight however will land after it @HeathrowAirport.
As is evident our UK flight has avoided #Russian airspace whereas the AI one hasn't.
The key… pic.twitter.com/Owa6pMuaiM

— VT-VLO (@Vinamralongani) May 9, 2023

[AMcWhirter]

In case readers are unable to access the remainder of the above tweet it’ all to do with insurance.

Air India has insurance cover allowing it to overfly Russia because it, unlike its North American rivals, continues to operate non-stop flights to that area.

Vistra, on the other hand, does not serve North America and so does not need to pay the extra insurance costs.

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cwoodward

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