Indian airlines are facing significant financial strain as Pakistan’s decision to close its airspace to Indian-operated flights is expected to result in losses of up to $500 million per month. This major development has forced Indian carriers to reroute long-haul international flights, increasing flight duration, fuel consumption, and operational complexities.
The impact of the closure is widespread, affecting daily operations of around 200 to 300 Indian flights that typically transit through Pakistani airspace. Approximately 70 to 80 of these are international round-trip services operated by major airlines including Air India, IndiGo, SpiceJet, Akasa Air, and Air India Express. With the rerouting, flights are experiencing up to two additional hours in journey time, significantly driving up fuel and crew costs.
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Examples of affected flights include Air India’s AI-190 from Toronto, which had to divert to Copenhagen for refueling, and AI-162 from London to India, which refueled in Abu Dhabi. Additionally, a Sharjah-Amritsar flight was rerouted near Turbat, and another Indian flight had to land in Ahmedabad due to fuel concerns after navigating the Gulf of Oman.
This airspace closure was implemented following a National Security Committee meeting in Islamabad, which led to a ban on all Indian-registered, owned, leased, or operated aircraft, including military planes, from entering Pakistani airspace. The last similar event in 2019, following the Pulwama attack, led to extra operational costs of INR 700 crore for Indian airlines.
The current tensions stem from a recent attack on tourists in Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir, for which India has blamed Pakistan. Pakistan has denied these allegations, calling them unfounded. The diplomatic standoff has escalated, with both countries suspending special visa schemes, closing land borders, expelling defense officials, and scaling down embassy personnel. India’s suspension of the Indus Water Treaty has also intensified the crisis, with Pakistan warning that any interference with its water rights would be considered an act of war.
The exact duration of Pakistan’s airspace closure remains unclear, leaving Indian airlines to brace for continued financial and operational challenges.
