Closure of Pakistan Airspace Disrupts Over 60 Indian Flights, Leads to Heavy Losses

Pakistan Closes Airspace to Indian Airlines Amid Rising Tensions, Causing Flight Chaos and Millions in Losses

Tensions between Pakistan and India have escalated further as Pakistan closed its airspace to Indian airlines, triggering massive disruptions across global flight routes. Within just 16 hours, over 60 flights were affected, leading to millions in losses and extended flight durations.

Read more: Iran has closed its airspace to foreign airlines

Major Airlines Affected

Four of India’s biggest carriers — Air India, IndiGo, SpiceJet, and Akasa Air — are bearing the brunt. Routes to Europe, North America, Central Asia, and the Middle East now require detours of up to two hours, significantly increasing fuel costs and creating logistical chaos.

Disruptions and Delays

• Air India’s Toronto-Delhi flight was rerouted to Denmark.
• IndiGo’s Delhi-Tbilisi flight landed unexpectedly in Ahmedabad.
• Two IndiGo flights to Almaty and Tashkent were cancelled.
• SpiceJet’s Dubai-Amritsar flight was delayed by 2.5 hours.
• Even the Indian vice president’s VIP flight to Italy had to take a 90-minute detour.

At Delhi Airport alone, over 300 flights a week are expected to be affected.

Heavy Financial Toll

The industry is expecting billions in losses, with aviation fuel — already 30% of total costs — becoming more expensive due to rerouting. The last major airspace ban in 2019 cost Indian airlines $64 million; this one could be even worse.

Cause Behind the Closure

The move follows a deadly militant attack in Indian-administered Kashmir that killed 26. India has blamed Pakistani elements, a claim Pakistan denies. In retaliation, India has moved to suspend the Indus Waters Treaty, prompting Pakistan’s airspace ban targeting only Indian-registered or Indian-leased aircraft.

Global Flights Unaffected

Interestingly, foreign airlines flying to India via Pakistan remain unaffected, suggesting the move is a calculated diplomatic signal rather than a blanket closure.

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