India-Pakistan tensions have disrupted air travel once again. Following the Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed 26 lives, Pakistan has closed its airspace to Indian flights—a move that is expected to lead to 8–12% increases in international flight fares, especially on routes originating from Delhi and northern Indian cities.
What’s Changing for Indian Flyers?
Longer flight routes, higher fuel costs, and delayed arrival times are the new reality for travelers headed to the UK, US, Europe, and the Middle East. Flights that once passed through Pakistan’s airspace will now detour over the Arabian Sea, adding 2 to 2.5 hours to flight durations in some cases.
Impacted Airlines and Routes
Air India, IndiGo, SpiceJet, Akasa Air, and Air India Express have all confirmed disruptions. West-bound international flights from cities such as Delhi, Amritsar, Jaipur, Lucknow, and Varanasi are being rerouted. The closure applies to all Indian-registered aircraft, including those leased or owned by Indian operators.
Air India stated that several of its transcontinental flights will now take extended routes, affecting services to North America, Europe, the UK, and the Middle East. IndiGo also acknowledged that “a few of our international flights are being impacted” due to the sudden ban.
Why the Fare Hike?
Airlines already operate on razor-thin profit margins. The extended routes mean more fuel, more time, and possibly fewer passengers (due to payload limits)—all contributing to rising operational costs. Without the ability to increase load factors or reduce costs, ticket prices are expected to go up.
What’s Next?
As flight plans are updated and alternate routes finalized, passengers should expect longer travel times and higher costs for the foreseeable future. Travelers are advised to check with airlines directly for flight-specific information and plan accordingly.
In the meantime, Indian carriers are doing their best to adapt, but the closure of Pakistan’s airspace—an essential regional aviation corridor—adds a new layer of complexity to India’s global connectivity.
