New Delhi, March 16 -- The domestic airline industry was already under strain from the India-Pakistan conflict, Air India plane crash, and IndiGo cancellation crisis. Now the war in West Asia threatens to bleed India's largely loss-making industry through the loss of business from the region, as well as a surge in input costs, particularly jet fuel prices.

The effect will now be visible on consumers' pockets as IndiGo, Air India, and Akasa Air have already announced price hikes of Rs.199- Rs.2,300, depending on the nature of the flight. With Pakistan airspace already shut for Indian airlines, the disruption in flight routes through West Asia has increased travel time and cost.

The financial damage of such disruptions would mount quickly...