In a significant escalation of tensions between India and Pakistan, the latter has closed its airspace to Indian airlines, impacting over 800 flights a week. This closure, which began on the evening of April 24, 2025, has forced Indian carriers to reroute their flights, leading to longer travel times and increased operational costs.
According to industry experts, the closure of Pakistani airspace will force Indian airlines to adjust their schedules significantly. Flights from North India to various destinations in West Asia, the Caucasus, Europe, the UK, and North America will now take longer routes, adding anywhere from 15 minutes to several hours to travel times. The immediate effects are already evident, with airlines scrambling to adapt to this new reality.
IndiGo, India’s largest low-cost carrier, announced on April 25, 2025, that it would suspend its daily flights from Delhi to Almaty and Tashkent starting from April 27 and April 28, respectively, until at least May 7. The airline cited operational constraints due to the airspace closure, stating, "With the same restrictions and limited rerouting options, unfortunately, Almaty and Tashkent are outside the operational range of IndiGo's current fleet." This suspension is part of a broader adjustment, as IndiGo indicated that around 50 of its international routes would require longer sectors, resulting in potential schedule changes.
The closure of airspace affects approximately 400 weekly westward international departures from North Indian airports, including Delhi, Amritsar, Jaipur, and Lucknow. Since these flights were routinely flying over Pakistan, the total number of affected flights is expected to reach around 800. Notably, about 640 of these flights operate from Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport, which is likely to be the hardest hit by this development.
Air India, another major player in the Indian aviation sector, is also feeling the pinch. The airline reported that some of its ultra-long-haul flights to North America had to make technical halts at European airports due to the airspace restrictions. Flights from Delhi to Washington and New York, for instance, had to stop in Vienna, while others bound for Chicago and Toronto made unscheduled stops in Copenhagen. Air India has stated that its international flights will take alternative extended routes, resulting in longer travel times of approximately 2 to 2.5 hours.
The recent airspace closure follows rising tensions between India and Pakistan, particularly after the Pahalgam terror attack, which resulted in the deaths of 26 tourists and injuries to more than 20 others. In light of these events, Pakistan barred Indian airlines from using its airspace, a restriction that applies to all India-registered aircraft as well as planes owned or leased by Indian operators.
Industry insiders suggest that the increased operational costs from the longer routes could lead to higher airfares for passengers. "While it is still too early to assess the impact, the airlines’ costs are bound to rise, which could translate into higher airfares for passengers," an industry expert noted. Airlines from other countries, meanwhile, will benefit from cost and time advantages as they continue to utilize Pakistani airspace.
This is not the first time that Pakistani airspace closure has disrupted Indian airlines. In 2019, following the Balakot airstrikes, Pakistan closed its airspace for over four months, resulting in an estimated loss of around Rs 700 crore for Indian airlines due to increased fuel expenses and operational complications. Air India was particularly affected at that time, as it operated more westward international flights than other airlines.
As the situation develops, Indian airlines are working to adjust their schedules and may soon announce further changes to their flight networks to provide clarity and stability for passengers. The financial implications of Pakistan's airspace closure are still unfolding, and a clearer picture is expected to emerge in the coming days.
In summary, with the closure of Pakistani airspace, Indian airlines are facing a challenging landscape of longer routes and increased operational costs. As they navigate this new reality, the impact on flight schedules and passenger fares will be closely monitored by industry experts and travelers alike.
