Asia woke up with news of attacks on Ukraine by Russia. Official communication is difficult to obtain, but hours before the first explosion report has seen reports of IT networks in Ukraine compromised.
The world will not imagine other conflicts so fast, after hurried out by Americans from Afghanistan and the next takeover by the Taliban.
Even when the news about the Ukrainian conflict appeared, Air India pushed back the second of three flights to Kyiv to bring back the Indians stranded. The flight must return to Iran and return to New Delhi.
The first glimpse of the possibility of a conflict appeared in Wee Hour in Ukraine and Russia, with the Russian side releasing Notam (notification to the pilot) for the closure of all airspace in disputed areas in disputed Ukraine.
This was followed by the announcement of closing Dnipro, Kharkiv, Lyiv and Kyiv – several main cities of Ukraine. This is quickly filled with the closure of the entire Ukrainian airspace with other Notam. While this notam appeared, several airlines went to Ukraine or too many countries.
Some, like El-al, immediately change the course, while those who are destined for airports in Kyiv are diverted elsewhere.
Leading with the possibility of a conflict, Lessor had asked airplanes flown by Ukraine Airlines to be sent out of the country. However, many planes continued at various domestic airports. The first few hours of conflict so far have not seen the civil aircraft managed but conflict details are vague and difficult to obtain in real time, even in this social media age.
The airline avoided Belarus too
Because MH17 was lost on the Donbass conflict zone in 2014, the airline had avoided the airspace of Ukraine. Good water India and Vistara, who flew to the point in Europe, have avoided excessive Ukrainian airspace. However, it is not true for other airlines.
With the airline also avoided Belarusian airspace after the country forced one of Ryanair’s flights and opposition activists and journalists arrested, the Ukrainian conflict turned into another thorn in the scheme.
While the impact of this action will feel mostly by European operators, the impact of war means that oil prices are getting higher.
High oil prices, bottom passengers because of a pandemic and the possibility of conflict or war is a triple whammy where the airline will feel very difficult to get out quickly. For some people, this can be the last nail in the coffin.
What should you know if you are a passenger?
The most uncomfortable lot is passengers from flight two Indian airs that will wait with bated back in Ukraine flying to India. Someone can only imagine the pressure that passengers with tickets ordered will be faced, knowing that the airspace is now closed and the siren warns air strikes.
For flights to other parts of the world, a lot depends on how conflicts form from here. If the World Powers or NATO joins, this has the potential to increase outside Ukraine, Europe and Russia.
If you are a passenger fly anywhere to Europe or to Russia, in particular, traces the situation in the field and follows the handle of social media from airlines and caring countries. The local Indian Embassy and Consulate has updated information and guidelines for India. This can help receive information calls without panic.
If the conflict increases and the airline is forced to avoid Russian airspace, it can have an impact on connectivity to North America as well. Until more details are known from the passenger perspective, it’s waiting and watching.
