Indian airlines were forced to divert multiple international flights on Thursday after Pakistan unexpectedly closed its airspace, creating disruptions across multiple air corridors and increasing travel time for passengers.
The closure, which took effect without advance warning to the public, affected key flight routes between India and Europe, the Middle East, and North America. Major Indian carriers including Air India, IndiGo and Vistara confirmed they were forced to reroute flights in order to avoid Pakistani airspace, leading to longer flight durations and increased fuel costs for each leg of their flights.
Though Pakistan’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has not issued an official statement explaining why their airport has been closed, sources indicate rising military tensions near the border and ongoing regional instability may have been behind it. Unconfirmed reports also suggest military exercises or increased security protocols may have played a part in prompting this decision.
Air India issued a brief statement explaining their flights were being altered due to Pakistan’s abrupt airspace closure and are taking steps to minimize passenger inconvenience.
Flights between Delhi and Mumbai and destinations like London, Frankfurt, and Toronto were affected, experiencing delays ranging from 30 minutes to over two hours. Some flights had to land at alternate airports due to longer detour routes for refueling purposes.
Airspace closures between India and Pakistan have long disrupted air travel. Following the military standoff between them in 2019, Pakistan shut its airspace for almost five months, creating significant operational and financial issues for airlines in the region.
Aviation analysts warn of potential delays, cancellations and ticket price increases for international travelers traveling over South Asia. “This development adds strain to already complex flight logistics and fuel planning,” according to aviation expert Rajeev Kapoor. Airlines must recalibrate their routes accordingly resulting in additional costs and disruption.
India’s Ministry of Civil Aviation is monitoring the situation closely and has initiated discussions with regional aviation authorities in order to gain more clarity and plan accordingly.
As travelers prepare for potential ongoing disruption, experts advise checking flight statuses frequently and staying in contact with airlines for updated information. At this time, it remains uncertain how long airspace closure will continue, leaving both airlines and passengers to await its outcome with caution.