Pahalgam Terror Attack: Pakistan Airspace Ban Could Make International Flights Longer, Costlier

SOURCE : NEW18 NEWS

Last Updated:April 25, 2025, 16:00 IST

Flights from North India could face delays, higher fares as Pakistan shuts airspace for Indian carriers amid rising Indo-Pak tensions

International flights departing from Delhi and several northern Indian cities are likely to face extended travel times and higher fares following Pakistan’s decision to close its airspace to Indian carriers. The move, a response to rising geopolitical tensions after the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, is expected to significantly impact long-haul routes.

Extended Routes and Increased Costs

“The impact will be felt most on ultra-long-haul routes in terms of flight duration and payload limitations. More fuel will be required, raising overall operating costs,” said P.P. Singh, former senior manager at Jet Airways, in an interview with Bloomberg. He added that the alternative routes through the already congested Persian Gulf corridor could further exacerbate delays.

India’s top airlines, including Air India and IndiGo, have acknowledged disruptions to their international schedules. Air India confirmed that flights to North America, Europe, the UK, and the Middle East will now be rerouted. IndiGo, too, has reported “impacts” to select international operations.

A senior pilot speaking to PTI noted that westbound flights to the US and Europe could see extended durations of 2 to 2.5 hours due to rerouting over the Arabian Sea—affecting operations from key cities like Delhi, Amritsar, Jaipur, Lucknow, and Varanasi.

Airlines Respond

Air India addressed the issue in a post on X, formerly Twitter: “Due to the announced restriction of Pakistan airspace for all Indian airlines, it is expected that some Air India flights to or from North America, UK, Europe, and Middle East will take an alternative extended route. We regret the inconvenience caused due to this unforeseen closure, which is outside our control. The safety of our customers and crew remains our top priority.”

IndiGo also released a statement, saying: “We understand the inconvenience this may cause and our teams are doing their best to help you reach your destination at the earliest.”

Impact on Passengers and Fares

The longer flight paths are expected to increase fuel burn, leading to a rise in operational costs. Airlines may also have to reduce passenger or baggage loads to accommodate the extra fuel, impacting overall efficiency.

A senior travel industry executive told PTI that airfares on international routes could climb by 8–12% in the near term. If the airspace restriction continues, prices may rise further.

This isn’t the first instance of Pakistan restricting its airspace to Indian airlines. A similar move was made in 2019 following the Indian Air Force’s Balakot strikes in the wake of the Pulwama terror attack.

As diplomatic tensions escalate, airlines will likely continue adjusting flight plans, and travelers should brace for delays and higher fares in the weeks ahead.