In the aftermath of the deadly Pahalgam terror attack, Pakistan shut its airspace to Indian carriers on April 24, triggering major disruptions in international air travel.
Within just five days, nearly 600 Indian flights had to be rerouted, resulting in longer journeys, emergency refueling stops, and increased operational costs.
Airlines impacted include Air India, IndiGo, Akasa Air, and Air India Express, all of which have been forced to detour around Pakistani airspace, primarily rerouting over Mumbai or Ahmedabad, then flying across the Arabian Sea via Muscat before heading to Europe, North America, or West Asia.
Flight delays range from 15 to 90 minutes, depending on the destination. Routes to the Middle East are now longer by up to 45 minutes, while flights to Europe and North America are facing delays exceeding 1.5 hours.
“Each flight now incurs $1,350 to $3,000 more in fuel, a serious financial hit,” said a senior executive from a leading travel platform.
Flightradar24 data shows that Pakistan’s airspace was officially shut at 6:00 PM on April 24. Only two Indian aircraft already in Pakistani airspace were allowed to pass through, while others, including an IndiGo flight to Amritsar, had to divert mid-air, with some needing emergency refueling in Ahmedabad.
The Indian Ministry of Civil Aviation is assessing the fallout, while Civil Aviation Minister K Ram Mohan Naidu acknowledged possible alternatives like northern Himalayan routes, though he noted that these pose technical and staffing challenges.
Indian carriers are also urging the government to offer temporary subsidies to cushion the fuel burden and prevent fare hikes. The closure gives an unfair advantage to foreign airlines, which continue to use Pakistani airspace unimpeded.
The scenario is reminiscent of Pakistan’s 2019 airspace shutdown, which reportedly cost Indian carriers over ₹540 crore. With Air India alone now flying over 1,100 international routes weekly, the potential financial impact this time is far greater.
In response, India is reportedly considering reciprocal actions, such as blocking Pakistani carriers from Indian airspace and restricting access to Indian ports, though no final decision has been announced.
