Pahalgam terror attack: Pakistan airspace ban may make your international flight longer and costlier

International flights from Delhi and several northern Indian cities are expected to experience longer travel times and increased fares, following Pakistan's decision to close its airspace to Indian airlines. The move comes amid escalating tensions between the two countries after the recent terror attack in Pahalgam.

“The impact will be on ultra-long range flights in terms of time and payload carriage limitations, which would mean more fuel burn, thus, increasing the cost of operations,” P.P. Singh, a senior manager at erstwhile carrier Jet Airways Ltd, told Bloomberg. “The airspace over the Persian Gulf, which will provide an alternative route, is already limited and congested and that may further add to flight delays.”

Also Read| Pakistan closes airspace to Indian carriers: These flights to be worst hit

India’s leading carriers, including Air India and IndiGo, have confirmed that some of their international operations are being impacted. Air India announced that its flights to North America, UK, Europe, and the Middle East will now follow extended alternate routes. IndiGo also confirmed disruptions, noting that "a few of our international flights are being impacted."

A senior pilot told PTI that “the duration of some of the US and European flights operated by Indian airlines will increase in the range of 2 to 2.5 hours.” The additional flight time results from rerouting over the Arabian Sea due to the closure of Pakistan's airspace, which is a vital corridor for west-bound flights from cities like Delhi, Amritsar, Jaipur, Lucknow, and Varanasi.

In a post on X, Air India stated:
“Due to the announced restriction of Pakistan airspace for all Indian airlines, it is expected that some Air India flights to or from North America, UK, Europe, and Middle East will take an alternative extended route. Air India regrets the inconvenience caused to our passengers due to this unforeseen airspace closure that is outside our control. We would like to reiterate that at Air India, the safety of our customers and crew remains top priority.”

IndiGo also said in a social media update:
“We understand the inconvenience this may cause and our teams are doing their best to help you reach your destination at the earliest.”


The longer flight routes will lead to increased fuel consumption, resulting in higher operational costs for the airlines. Airlines may also face payload issues due to the need for additional fuel, potentially reducing the number of passengers and baggage they can carry.

A senior travel industry executive told PTI that international airfares may rise by 8–12 per cent in the near term. If the restriction continues, prices could go up further.

This is not the first time Pakistan has barred Indian airlines from using its airspace. In 2019, a similar closure was enforced after the Indian Air Force conducted airstrikes in Balakot following the Pulwama terror attack.

As tensions persist, airlines will continue to reassess their flight plans, and passengers may need to prepare for longer travel times and higher ticket costs in the coming weeks.