Date: April 25, 2025
India-US Flight Duration and Fares to Rise
India-US Flight: Pakistan Closes Airspace Following Pahalgam Terror Attack Fallout
In the wake of the devastating terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir, where 27 tourists lost their lives, the Indian government took a series of seven strong diplomatic actions against Pakistan. In retaliation, Pakistan responded by announcing India-US Flight and a complete closure of its airspace to Indian carriers, which is already beginning to disrupt international flight operations.
India-US Flight: Impact on International Flights from India
This airspace closure is expected to heavily impact India’s westbound flights, including those to the United States, Canada, Europe, the Middle East, and Central Asia. Indian carriers will now need to reroute their flights, resulting in:
- Longer flight durations
- Additional fuel consumption
- Increased operational costs
- Higher ticket fares for passengers
During a similar scenario in 2019, Indian airlines lost over ₹700 crore due to rerouting after Pakistan had previously closed its airspace following the Balakot airstrikes.
Major Airlines Respond: Flight Delays, Cancellations, and Detours
India’s major airlines, including Air India and IndiGo, have issued travel advisories on their official X (formerly Twitter) accounts. Both airlines acknowledged the delays and disruptions caused by the new airspace restrictions.
Key Updates:
- IndiGo canceled its Delhi-Almaty flight and extended travel times for routes to Baku and Tbilisi by up to 90 minutes.
- Flights from Delhi, Lucknow, and Amritsar may now take detours over Gujarat or Maharashtra before heading to North America and Europe.
- In 2019, Air India’s Delhi-Chicago route required fuel stops in Europe, and IndiGo’s Delhi-Istanbul flight had to stop in Doha, Qatar for refueling.
Passengers Urged to Plan Ahead
Both Air India and IndiGo have advised passengers to prepare for potential delays and to consider flexible bookings or refund options. The situation remains fluid, and more accurate schedules and rerouting plans are expected to be released soon.
Looking Ahead: Economic and Operational Challenges Loom
With tensions between India and Pakistan escalating, and airspace restrictions back in place, the Indian aviation sector may once again face significant financial and logistical hurdles. As the geopolitical situation evolves, the true impact on flight operations and passenger experience will become clearer in the coming days.