Web Desk

ISLAMABAD: Air India&#39;s transformation under new ownership has turned into an operational disaster, marked by pilot rebellions over pay cuts, a fatal crash, safety violations, and geopolitical airspace closures, resulting in a $2.8 billion loss and significant route reductions. The crisis began in early 2024, when the Tata Group imposed unified contracts, slashing pilot guarantees from 70 to 40 flight hours per month, according to The Hindu. First officers faced a 57% pay reduction and had to fly 76 hours to match previous earnings. Sixty pilots transitioning from AirAsia India struggled with 900,000 Indian rupees ($9,434) in training debts, now impossible to service. By March 2024, two pilot unions sent a joint letter to Tata Chairman N. Chandrasekaran, warning that the changes had reduced aviators to &quot;bonded labor,&quot; according to The Hindu. Between March 31 and April 2, sick-out protests forced 150 flight cancellations. At least 15 senior first officers resigned. Cabin crew discord erupted in May 2024 when Air India Express workers staged a mass sick leave, canceling 90 flights and affecting 13,000 passengers, according to The Times of India. Management initially fired 25 employees before reversing course following mediation. On June 12, 2025, Flight AI171 crashed near Ahmedabad in western India, killing 242 people on board and 19 on the ground, according to AFP. The director-general of the civil aviation (DGCA) subsequently found that 83% of Air India&#39;s aircraft exhibited recurring technical defects, according to the analysis cited in the original document. In February this year, the DGCA fined Air India 10 million Indian rupees ($104,845) for flying an unairworthy Airbus A320 on eight revenue flights, according to The Hindu. Pakistan closed its airspace to Indian carriers following a military confrontation in May 2025. Air India then requested the Indian government to press China for access to sensitive Xinjiang airspace to reduce costs and flight times, according to an internal company document reported by Indian media. The airspace closure reportedly cost the carrier $455 million, nearly matching its entire fiscal year 2024-25 pre-tax loss of $439 million, according to a parliamentary response by the Indian Minister of State for Civil Aviation. A similar Pakistani airspace closure in 2019 cost Air India and other Indian carriers at least $64 million over five months. For the fiscal year ending March 31, Air India posted a $2.8 billion consolidated loss, according to PRESS Insider and The Economic Times. Singapore Airlines, holding 25.1%, saw profits collapse 57.4%. The once fledgling carrier was forced to request temporary government subsidies to offset the financial impact.

India

Air India faces mass pilot resignations and cabin crew strikes following 57% pay cuts. Safety incidents, including a fatal crash and maintenance violations, have led to a record $2.8 billion loss.

Air India's pay cuts trigger pilot revolts, deepen crisis

ISLAMABAD: Afghanistan is witnessing a worsening humanitarian and economic crisis as women barred from employment under Taliban policies struggle to survive. Many women who once supported their families now face severe financial hardship, with the loss of income also taking a significant toll on their mental health. Husna Qaderi, formerly the sole breadwinner for her family, says her life has drastically changed since restrictions on women&rsquo;s employment were imposed. Unable to work for the past two years, she now struggles to provide even basic necessities. &ldquo;After women were banned from working, I was confined to my home,&rdquo; she said. &ldquo;This not only worsened my financial situation but also deeply affected my mental well-being. I used to contribute to society and support other women, but now I cannot even support myself.&rdquo; Another woman, who asked to be identified as Khatira, described similar challenges. She says the scarcity of job opportunities has left many women unemployed and unable to cover daily expenses. &ldquo;Most available jobs are now reserved for men,&rdquo; she said. &ldquo;Women are facing devastating psychological and economic consequences. I have been unemployed for a long time and still cannot find suitable work.&rdquo; Undermining the future of AfghanistanWomen&rsquo;s rights advocates warn that the impact extends far beyond individual hardship. Activist Julia Parsi describes the ban as a structural crisis with long-term consequences for Afghan society. &ldquo;Depriving women of work is not just an economic issue,&rdquo; she said. &ldquo;It has collapsed household economies, removed women from public life, and severely damaged the mental health of an entire generation. These policies undermine not only women&rsquo;s dignity but also the future of the country.&rdquo; Parsi cautioned that while temporary measures such as remote work or financial aid may offer limited relief, they cannot replace women&rsquo;s full participation in the workforce. Without change, she warned, Afghanistan could face rising poverty, inequality, and long-term loss of human potential. Economic experts echo these concerns, emphasizing that excluding women from the workforce wastes vital human capital and weakens the country&rsquo;s economy. According to economist Shakib Ziyaie, households that rely on dual incomes are particularly vulnerable. &ldquo;When women lose their income, families immediately experience a decline in living standards,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;This leads to reduced food quality and increased poverty. On a larger scale, excluding women causes market stagnation and greater dependence on foreign aid.&rdquo; Taliban&#39;s restrictionsSince returning to power, the Taliban have imposed sweeping restrictions on women&rsquo;s participation in public life, including bans on education beyond sixth grade and employment in many sectors. The United Nations Development Program has previously warned that Afghan women face extremely fragile economic conditions, with limited access to jobs and financial resources. According to United Nations data, around 75% of the population struggles with food insecurity, while 88% of female-headed households lack access to basic necessities. As restrictions persist, experts and activists warn that the consequences for Afghanistan&rsquo;s economy and society could be profound and long-lasting, affecting not only women but the nation as a whole.

Group of Afghan women wearing Burqas (File Photo: Wikimedia Commons)

Afghanistan

Afghan women, barred from work under Taliban restrictions, face severe economic hardships, psychological distress, and a growing humanitarian crisis with long-term consequences for the country.

Articles tagged with "financial hardship"

Air India's pay cuts trigger pilot revolts, deepen crisis

Forced confinement of women in Afghanistan: A deepening human crisis

Air India's pay cuts trigger pilot revolts, deepen crisis