600 Indian Flights Rerouted In 5 Days As Pakistan Shuts Airspace After Pahalgam Terror Attack: Report

The closure of Pakistan’s airspace to Indian carriers since April 24 in wake of the Pahalgam terror attack, has led to widespread disruption in west-bound international travel, affecting nearly 600 flights in just five days, asper reports.

Airlines such as Air India, IndiGo, Akasa Air, and Air India Express have been forced to reroute flights, resulting in longer travel times, additional fuel stops, and increased operational costs.

Longer Routes, Rising Costs

With Pakistani airspace off-limits, Indian airlines have had to fly southwards via Mumbai or Ahmedabad, loop over the Arabian Sea toward Muscat, and then proceed to Europe, North America, or West Asia. Routes to the Middle East are now extended by 15 to 45 minutes, while flights to Europe and North America are facing delays of over 90 minutes, industry sources say.

“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. Jet fuel already accounts for about a quarter of an airline’s expenses, making this a significant blow.

Flight tracking platform Flightradar24 reported that the airspace was shut at 6:00 PM on April 24. At that time, two Indian-registered aircraft already inside Pakistani airspace were allowed to continue. However, an IndiGo flight headed to Amritsar had to divert to Ahmedabad for refueling after it altered course away from the Pakistan border.

Government Weighs Options, Airlines Seek Support

India’s Ministry of Civil Aviation is working with airlines to assess the full impact of the closure and explore possible alternatives. Civil Aviation Minister K Ram Mohan Naidu said on April 28 that “the most obvious alternative was to fly north over the Himalayas,” though he acknowledged the technical and crew-related challenges involved.

Airlines have urged the government to consider temporary subsidies to avoid hiking airfares, especially since foreign carriers remain unaffected and continue to use Pakistani airspace. This, insiders fear, could give them a competitive edge over Indian airlines on similar routes.

The situation mirrors Pakistan’s 2019 airspace closure, which cost Indian airlines over Rs 540 crore. With Air India now operating over 1,100 international flights per week, which is nearly double its 2019 levels, the stakes are significantly higher this time.

India is also reportedly weighing reciprocal action, including the closure of its own airspace to Pakistani carriers and restricting access to Indian ports.

Published on: Wednesday, April 30, 2025, 10:58 AM IST