How Pakistan’s Airspace Closure Will Impact Indian Airlines? (Image-instagram'/airindia)
Flights from the United Arab Emirates are expected to face extended travel times and delays after Pakistan shuts airspace for Indian airlines. The Indian airlines including Air India, Air India Express, and IndiGo have relied on Pakistan airspace for the most direct routes from UAE to Indian cities including Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru. The airlines will now have to rely on alternative paths which are longer and add on to fuel consumption.
Meanwhile, the UAE-based airlines including Emirates, Etihad, flydubai, and Air Arabia are not directly affected by the restrictions, however, congestion over the alternative air corridors will have secondary impacts on them. This will more likely to result in airport slot rescheduling and increased turnaround times at airports, contributing to wider disruptions.
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The airspace closure was driven due to escalating tension between India and Pakistan after the Pahalgam attack. For Air India, the closure means its flights to the US and Europe will now take a longer route which will add on nearly two hours to the travel time. Other Indian carriers, such as IndiGo, SpiceJet, Air India Express, and Akasa Air will see flight duration extend by 20–30 minutes on routes from New Delhi to the Middle East.
“Due to the announced restriction of Pakistan airspace for all Indian airlines, flights are expected to take an alternative extended route,” Air India said in a public statement. “We deeply regret the inconvenience caused and, as always, prioritize the safety of passengers and crew above everything else.”
IndiGo, India’s largest airline by market share, also confirmed disruptions. The airline noted that some of its international flights were directly impacted by the sudden airspace closure.
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IndiGo is working to minimize disruptions but acknowledges delays are unavoidable in the current situation.
The airline is also offering flexibility with rebooking options and refunds if passengers decide to cancel their trips.
