Pakistan Closes Airspace to Indian Airlines, Disrupting Hundreds of Flights

Pakistan’s decision to close its airspace to Indian airlines has sent ripples through the Indian aviation industry, impacting over 800 weekly flights.

The move forces Indian airlines to take longer routes, adding anywhere from 15 minutes to several hours to flight times, depending on the destination. This results in increased fuel costs and operational complexities related to crew scheduling.

IndiGo, one of India’s largest airlines, has already suspended its daily flights from Delhi to Almaty and Tashkent in Central Asia until at least May 7th. The airline cited the airspace restrictions and limited rerouting options as reasons for the suspension.

**A Lot of Flights Affected**

The closure affects a significant portion of India’s international flight network. According to aviation data, nearly 400 weekly westward international departures from North Indian airports like Delhi, Amritsar, Jaipur, and Lucknow routinely flew over Pakistan. This translates to around 800 affected flights considering return legs. Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport is likely the most affected, with almost 640 flights impacted.

**Impact on Long-Haul Flights**

Even ultra-long-haul flights from Mumbai are being affected, as their usual flight paths include Pakistani airspace. Air India, for example, had to make technical stops in European airports like Copenhagen and Vienna for some of its flights to and from North America on Friday. This disruption highlights the significant operational challenges posed by the airspace closure.

**Financial Implications**

Industry experts anticipate that the airspace closure will lead to higher airfares for passengers as airlines absorb the increased costs. Airlines from other countries that can still utilize Pakistani airspace may also gain a cost and time advantage over Indian carriers.

**Looking Ahead**

While it’s still early days, Indian airlines are actively adjusting their flight schedules and networks to accommodate the new reality. They are expected to announce changes to schedules and routes in the coming days to provide clarity and stability for flyers.

The financial and operational impact of the closure will become clearer in the coming weeks. The situation brings back memories of 2019 when Pakistan closed its airspace for several months, costing Indian airlines an estimated Rs 700 crore.