Fri May 09 16:20:00 UTC 2025: ## India-Pakistan Tensions Ground Flights, Hike Costs

**New Delhi/Islamabad –** Escalating tensions between India and Pakistan following cross-border military strikes have severely disrupted international air travel. The closure of airspace over both countries has forced airlines to reroute flights, leading to significantly longer travel times and increased costs.

Following India’s airstrikes on Pakistani territory on May 7th, and Pakistan’s subsequent response, numerous airlines, including major European carriers, have avoided flying over the region. FlightRadar24 data shows dozens of flights cancelled or diverted, with a noticeable drop in air traffic over Pakistan and northern India.

The impact is particularly acute on Indian airlines. Approximately 20% of Indian international flights, and 30% of those heading west, normally traverse Pakistani airspace. This has resulted in flight times increasing by an average of 47 minutes for flights between northern India and destinations requiring them to cross Pakistan. Flights to North America have seen increases of up to four hours, while those to Europe have been lengthened by over an hour. Some routes, like those connecting Delhi with Central Asia, have become completely unfeasible for certain airlines without significant detours.

Airlines are incurring substantial additional fuel costs. Air India, for example, estimates potential costs of $600 million if the airspace closure persists for a year. The longer flight times are also impacting passengers and crew, prompting India’s aviation regulator to grant temporary extensions to pilot duty hours.

While the impact on Pakistan International Airlines is less severe, with only a few routes affected by the Indian airspace ban, Pakistan stands to lose significant revenue from overflight fees.

The situation highlights the significant ripple effect of geopolitical tensions on the global aviation industry, impacting not only airlines and passengers but also national economies. The airspace restrictions remain in place, and the duration of this disruption remains uncertain.

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