Pakistan’s Airspace Closure Disrupts 600 Flights, Causing Major Delays and Increased Costs

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New Delhi: Pakistan’s closure of airspace to Indian carriers since April 24, following the Pahalgam terror attack, has led to widespread disruptions in west-bound international travel, affecting nearly 600 flights within just five days, according to reports.

Indian airlines, including Air India, IndiGo, Akasa Air, and Air India Express, have been forced to reroute their flights, resulting in longer travel times, additional fuel stops, and increased operational costs. With Pakistani airspace off-limits, flights have had to take longer routes, flying southward via Mumbai or Ahmedabad, looping over the Arabian Sea toward Muscat, and then continuing toward Europe, North America, or West Asia.

Routes to the Middle East are now delayed by 15 to 45 minutes, while flights to Europe and North America are facing delays of over 90 minutes, according to industry sources.

“This rerouting is not just a logistical headache—it’s expensive. Each flight may now cost $1,350 to $3,000 more in fuel alone,” a senior executive from a travel platform told Moneycontrol. With jet fuel already making up about a quarter of an airline’s expenses, this disruption is proving to be a significant financial strain.

Flight tracking platform Flightradar24 reported that the airspace was closed at 6:00 PM on April 24. At that time, two Indian-registered aircraft that were already inside Pakistani airspace were allowed to continue their flights.

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