Pakistan’s decision to close its airspace to Indian airlines is causing significant disruptions to flights between India and destinations in Europe, Canada, and the US. The move, which comes as a tit-for-tat response to India’s downgrading of diplomatic ties following a deadly gun attack in Jammu and Kashmir, will result in longer flight times and operational challenges for several Indian carriers. Although no formal order has been issued, the National Security Committee of Pakistan has confirmed the decision to impose this airspace restriction.
The impact is particularly severe for Air India and IndiGo, two of the largest carriers in India. Air India operates numerous long-haul flights to Western destinations, while IndiGo, which is set to begin direct flights to Europe in July, will also be affected. Both airlines will need to adjust their flight routes to avoid Pakistani airspace, leading to longer journey times, increased fuel consumption, and higher operational costs. In some cases, airlines may need to reduce payloads to accommodate the longer flight durations and additional fuel requirements.
Flights between India and major international hubs like New York, London, and Toronto could experience delays of up to two hours. For airlines, this means not only the need to adjust flight paths but also to manage the logistics of fuel and payload adjustments. The longer routes will likely involve flying over the congested airspace of the Persian Gulf, which could exacerbate delays and create additional challenges for pilots and air traffic controllers.
The decision is expected to have a ripple effect on the aviation industry, with shares of both InterGlobe Aviation Ltd. (which operates IndiGo) and SpiceJet Ltd. seeing significant declines. IndiGo’s stock fell by as much as 5.9%, while SpiceJet’s shares dropped 6.1% on Friday. Investors are concerned about the added costs and potential disruptions to operations that could result from the airspace closure.
This move is not the first time Pakistan has imposed such restrictions. In 2019, following an Indian military strike on a suspected terrorist training camp in Pakistan, Pakistan closed its airspace for around five months. That closure had a major impact on the operations of airlines in both countries, with many flights between India and international destinations being rerouted or delayed.
For Air India and other airlines, the increased operational costs are not just a short-term issue. The longer flight times and the need to carry additional fuel could strain resources and reduce profitability. As airlines make adjustments to their flight schedules and routes, passengers could face disruptions, delays, and longer travel times, especially on long-haul flights.
While the exact details of the airspace closure are still being finalized, both Air India and SpiceJet have confirmed that their international flights will be rerouted to avoid Pakistani airspace. Some international flights may be rescheduled to accommodate the new routing requirements. IndiGo, which has been expanding its international operations, will also see its schedules affected, with potential delays or cancellations on certain routes.
The ongoing geopolitical tensions between India and Pakistan are clearly affecting the aviation sector. This move by Pakistan underscores the fragility of international air travel in regions marked by political instability. Airlines will need to find ways to manage these new challenges, but the impact on passenger experience and operational efficiency is undeniable.
