{"id":206192,"date":"2025-04-26T05:18:40","date_gmt":"2025-04-26T05:18:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/peraltafinancing.com\/airline\/pakistan-closes-airspace-to-indian-airlines\/"},"modified":"2025-04-26T05:18:40","modified_gmt":"2025-04-26T05:18:40","slug":"pakistan-closes-airspace-to-indian-airlines","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=206192","title":{"rendered":"Pakistan Closes Airspace to Indian Airlines"},"content":{"rendered":"


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On April 24, 2025, Pakistan announced the closure of its airspace to all Indian airlines following escalating tension between the countries. This closure has primarily affected westbound flights departing from northern Indian cities, including the busy hub of Delhi.\u00a0<\/p>\n

With Pakistani airspace no longer accessible, these flights must now take longer, more circuitous routes over the Arabian Sea to reach their destinations in Central Asia, the Caucasus, West Asia, Europe, the UK, and North America.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Air India<\/a> is the most heavily affected carrier. The airline operates dozens of daily flights from Delhi to long-haul destinations in Europe, the US, and Canada \u2014 routes that are now rerouting and prolonging the flight time by hours.<\/p>\n

These detours require additional fuel and have increased overall flight time, leading to substantial operational challenges. More than 200 daily flights operated by Indian airlines used to cross Pakistani airspace to fly to destinations in the West and the Middle East.<\/p>\n

Rerouted European Flights<\/h2>\n

Following the closure of the Pakistani airspace, flight time to and from Europe have been prolonged by 1.5 to 2 hours.<\/p>\n

\"a
Delhi to London Usual Route<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"a
Delhi to London Current Route<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

On April 24, Air India\u2019s flight AI162 from London to Delhi was diverted to Abu Dhabi for refueling following the announcement of the closure.<\/p>\n

\"a
Flight AI162 Abu Dhabi Diversion<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Air India\u2019s flight from Amritsar to London Gatwick is one of the most affected ones.<\/p>\n

\"a
Amritsar to London Usual Route<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"a
Amritsar to London Current Route<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Rerouted North American Flights<\/h2>\n

Air India\u2019s flights to and from the United States and Canada have been prolonged by two hours.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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\"a
New York to Delhi Usual Route<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"a
New York to Delhi Current Route<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

On the day of the airspace closure, flight AI190 from Toronto to Delhi was diverted to Copenhagen before continuing its journey to Delhi.<\/p>\n

\"a
Flight AI190 Copenhagen Diversion<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Rerouted Middle Eastern Flights<\/h2>\n

Flights from the Northern cities including Delhi, Amritsar, and Chandigarh to Istanbul, Baku, Dubai, and other Middle Eastern destinations have been lengthened by around 30 minutes to an hour.<\/p>\n

\"a
Delhi to Istanbul Usual Route<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"a
Delhi to Istanbul Current Route<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"a
Amritsar to Dubai Usual Route<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"a
Amritsar to Dubai Current Route<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Baku to Delhi is the most affected one in this region with the flight now prolonged by an hour.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"a
Baku to Delhi Usual Route<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"a
Baku to Delhi Current Route<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Rising Costs and Operational Challenges<\/h2>\n

The new flight paths are adding to the cost burden for airlines already operating on thin profit margins. Longer flight durations also mean that aircraft must carry more fuel, which reduces the allowable payload \u2014 forcing airlines to cut back on passengers, baggage, or cargo.<\/p>\n

A senior travel industry executive told PTI that international airfares on Indian carriers could rise by\u00a08 to 12%<\/strong>\u00a0in the short term. If the closure persists, these prices may increase further.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Moreover, non-Indian carriers that are still permitted to use Pakistani airspace could gain a competitive edge, offering shorter and cheaper flights on the same routes.<\/p>\n

Airlines may attempt to offset these costs, but the trade-off between fewer passengers and higher ticket prices is not sustainable long-term, especially as they navigate international airspace limitations and geopolitical tensions.<\/p>\n

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Pakistan Airspace Closure in 2019<\/h2>\n

The recent airspace closure is reminiscent of February 2019, when Pakistan last closed its airspace following the Indian Air Force\u2019s airstrikes in Balakot after the Pulwama attack.\u00a0<\/p>\n

At that time, Indian airlines reportedly suffered losses of around\u00a0\u20b9700 crore<\/strong>, largely due to higher fuel costs and rerouted operations. Air India, with its large westbound international network, bore the majority of those losses.<\/p>\n

Indian Airlines Responses<\/h2>\n

Air India\u00a0announced via X (formerly Twitter) that some of its flights to and from North America, Europe, the UK, and the Middle East will be taking longer alternative routes.<\/p>\n

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IMPORTANT UPDATE: <\/p>\n

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. Air India regrets the inconvenience caused\u2026<\/p>\n

\u2014 Air India (@airindia) April 24, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

IndiGo\u00a0also confirmed disruptions to some international services, assuring passengers.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Meanwhile,\u00a0SpiceJet\u00a0has issued a waiver for all rescheduling and cancellations for travel to and from\u00a0Srinagaruntil\u00a0April 30, for tickets booked before or on\u00a0April 22. The airline also added an extra flight from Srinagar to Delhi to ease passenger disruptions.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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As of 12:30 UTC, Pakistan closed its airspace to Indian registered aircraft. The NOTAM was posted to the Pakistan CAA website and has led to the diversion of at least 3 flight so far. Indian flights inside Pakistan at the time were allowed to continue. pic.twitter.com\/3KT1bKoA2R<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Flightradar24 (@flightradar24) April 24, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

All Images via FlightRadar24<\/a><\/p>\n

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