Pakistan Shuts Airspace for Indian Airlines: Longer Flights, Higher Fares to Hit Travellers
Passengers flying out of northern Indian cities to international destinations may soon feel the pinch—both in terms of longer flight durations and rising fares. Pakistan has closed its airspace to Indian airlines in response to escalating tensions following the recent terror attack in Pahalgam. The move has triggered immediate operational challenges for carriers like Air India, IndiGo, SpiceJet, and Air India Express.
Flights heading west—from cities such as Delhi, Amritsar, Jaipur, Lucknow, and Varanasi—are particularly affected. These flights, which would typically fly over Pakistani territory, must now reroute over the Arabian Sea. This diversion is expected to increase flying times by 2 to 2.5 hours on certain routes, especially those connecting to Europe, North America, and the Middle East.
Airlines Speak Out on Impact
Air India and IndiGo confirmed disruptions to some of their international flights. In a post on X, Air India said that flights to and from North America, the UK, Europe, and the Middle East would now take longer routes. The airline expressed regret over the inconvenience, noting that the safety of passengers and crew remains its top priority.
IndiGo echoed similar sentiments, assuring passengers that their teams are working to minimize delays and help travelers reach their destinations as soon as possible.
Rising Costs and Reduced Capacity
The closure of Pakistani airspace comes with major financial implications for Indian airlines. Longer routes mean higher fuel consumption and increased costs. Moreover, with added fuel, aircraft may need to reduce payload—meaning fewer passengers or lighter baggage to maintain safe operating conditions.
This operational trade-off, combined with the already tight margins airlines operate under, is expected to push ticket prices up by 8 to 12% in the short term. If the restriction continues for a prolonged period, fares could climb even higher, according to travel industry experts.
Not the First Time
This isn’t the first time Pakistan has closed its airspace to India. A similar restriction was enforced in 2019 after the Balakot air strikes, following the Pulwama terror attack. That closure lasted several months and had a comparable impact on Indian aviation operations.
As tensions continue to simmer, both airlines and passengers will be watching closely to see how long the current restrictions remain in place. For now, travelers are advised to check with their airlines for updates and prepare for potential delays and increased costs.
News Source : Information for this article was gathered from a variety of reliable news outlets.
