Amid escalating tensions between India and Pakistan, Indian airlines have been forced to take long detours, adding hours to international flight durations. The sudden closure of Pakistani airspace is not just an inconvenience—it’s transforming travel plans, straining fuel capacities, and challenging airline operations.
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What’s Happening?
Pakistan has closed its airspace to Indian airlines following heightened tensions after an incident in Indian-administered Kashmir. This has led to:
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Extra fuel stops for long-haul flights
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Suspended routes for aircraft with limited range
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Extended travel times, affecting thousands of passengers
How Airlines Are Adjusting?
1. Air India: Extra Fuel Stops in Europe
Air India, which operates numerous long-haul routes, especially to North America, has had to refuel in Europe due to the longer routes.
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Flights from Delhi to Chicago now stop in Vienna
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Flights to New York are halting in Copenhagen
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Total journey time has jumped from 14–15 hours to over 18 hours
Route |
Previous Duration |
New Duration |
Stopover Location |
|---|---|---|---|
Delhi to Chicago |
14–15 hours |
18+ hours |
Vienna |
Delhi to New York |
14–15 hours |
18+ hours |
Copenhagen |
Mumbai to San Francisco |
~17 hours |
20+ hours |
Europe (varied) |
“Air India regrets the inconvenience caused to our passengers due to this unforeseen airspace closure that is outside our control,” said a spokesperson. “We would like to reiterate that at Air India, the safety of our customers and crew remains top priority.”
2. IndiGo: Flights Suspended
IndiGo, India’s budget airline, has had to cut routes entirely due to fuel and distance limitations of its narrow-body aircraft.
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Suspended Routes:
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Delhi to Tashkent, Uzbekistan
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Delhi to Almaty, Kazakhstan
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Route |
Status |
Reason |
|---|---|---|
Delhi – Tashkent |
Suspended |
Aircraft range limitations |
Delhi – Almaty |
Suspended |
Distance too great to cover |
Flights are suspended at least through May 7, and passengers are advised to check for updates.
3. SpiceJet & Other Routes Affected
SpiceJet and IndiGo have both confirmed that around 50 international routes are affected by the detours. Even nonstop flights are now longer than usual.
Airline |
Route |
Added Flight Time |
|---|---|---|
IndiGo |
Delhi – Tbilisi (Georgia) |
+1 hour |
SpiceJet |
Amritsar – Dubai |
+1 hour |
Air India |
Delhi – Toronto |
+2 hours |
Air India |
Delhi – Frankfurt |
+1 hour |
What Should Passengers Do?
Passengers flying internationally are advised to:
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Monitor flight status on airline websites or apps
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Prepare for delays or rerouting
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Use rebooking and refund options offered by the airlines
Most carriers are actively sharing updates via social media platforms and customer service channels.
This Isn’t the First Time
This isn’t the first geopolitical conflict to disrupt air travel. In 2022, several global airlines, including Finnair and United Airlines, were forced to add hours to their Asia-bound flights after Russia closed its airspace during the Ukraine conflict.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Why are Indian airlines avoiding Pakistani airspace?
Due to rising political tensions and security concerns, Pakistan has temporarily closed its airspace to Indian carriers. This has forced airlines to reroute flights around the country.
2. Which airlines are most affected?
Air India, IndiGo, and SpiceJet are among the hardest hit. Air India has had to add European stopovers for fuel, while IndiGo has suspended some Central Asian routes altogether.
3. Will ticket prices increase due to longer flights?
It’s possible. Extended routes mean higher fuel consumption and increased operational costs, which could eventually impact ticket pricing if the closure continues.
4. Can passengers get refunds or reschedule their flights?
Yes. Most Indian airlines have issued statements urging passengers to check their flight status and have enabled rebooking or refund options for affected routes.
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