ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has shut its airspace for Indian airlines for an initial period of one month in retaliation for India’s aggressive moves, including the suspension of the Indus Water Treaty.
As per details, the closure of Pakistani airspace is set to impose significant additional costs on Indian airlines, with daily expenses totaling millions for flights to various international destinations.
The Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA) has issued a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM), formally announcing the closure of Pakistani airspace to Indian aircraft.
According to the NOTAM, the ban applies to all Indian military aircraft, including leased aircraft, and will remain in effect until midnight on May 25.
As per aviation sources, Indian airlines operate around 70 to 80 round-trip flights through Pakistani airspace daily, with the number occasionally exceeding 100.
What it means for India?
The airspace restriction will force Indian carriers to reroute their flights, adding approximately two hours of extra travel time per journey.
This is expected to significantly increase fuel costs and operational expenses, straining the financials of the affected airlines.
When Pakistan previously shut its airspace to Indian carriers in 2019, it cost Indian airlines an estimated $80 million, and that was during just a few days of disruption. This time, similar or even higher losses are expected if the closure persists.
Flights to destinations in Central Asia, Europe, and the Americas are likely to be rerouted, causing delays and raising ticket prices.
As a result, Indian passengers may not only face extended travel times but also steeper fares.
Many travelers are expected to shift toward international carriers offering cheaper and more reliable routes, potentially resulting in a loss of market share for Indian airlines.
Soon after Pakistan closed its airspace, IndiGo and Air India have warned passengers of service disruptions, an Indian media outlet, NDTV, reported.
In messages on X, the two said “some international flight schedules may be impacted due to changes of flight paths leading to an alternative extended route”.
