Indian airlines, including Air India, IndiGo and SpiceJet, on Thursday announced that some flights to or from countries, including North America, the UK, Europe, and the Middle East will take an alternate extended rout,e as Pakistan has closed its airspace for Indian carriers. The Pakistan government’s move comes after India suspended the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) and SAARC visa exemption due to a terrorist attack in Kashmir’s Pahalgam.
“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,” said Air India in a post on X.
India’s largest airline IndiGo also released a similar travel advisory. The airline has asked the passengers to follow its website to “check the latest flight status”. It also advised customers to explore flexible rebooking options, or refunds via its official website.
“Due to the sudden announcement of air space closure by Pakistan, a few of our international flights are being impacted,” said Indigo in a post.
The sudden change in air route is likely to delay flights and increase airfares.
“The new flight paths, especially for services to Europe and the United States, will be longer and will increase our operating costs. Airfares will rise,” the Business Standard reported, citing an airline executive.
The development comes after Pakistan’s National Security Committee, headed by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, on April 24 called the suspension of IWT as an “act of war”. As a retaliatory measure, the committee announced blocking its airspace for India along with suspending all trade-related activities. It also suspended the 1972 Simla Agreement and closed the Wagah Border.
