Longer flying time, higher airfares: How Pak airspace closure could impact your international travel

Indian airlines and passengers are bracing for longer flight durations and higher airfares as Pakistan's sudden closure of its airspace to Indian carriers disrupts international operations, according to industry officials.

The airspace ban, announced on Thursday amid escalating tensions following the Pahalgam terror attack, bars India-registered aircraft and planes owned or leased by Indian operators from using Pakistani airspace.

A Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) indicated the restriction would last at least a month. It was not immediately clear that the ban would be extended after this period.

IndiGo, which operates around 2,200 flights daily, on Friday said some of its international flights remain affected.

On Thursday, the carrier had cancelled some international flights including the flights from Delhi to Almaty and Tashkent.

"Due to airspace closure by Pakistan, a few of our international flights continue to be impacted. Our teams are working diligently to assess the situation and assist impacted customers with the best possible alternatives," IndiGo posted on X, without disclosing specific details.

Air India, in a post on X, said its flights to North America, the UK, Europe, and the Middle East are likely to take alternative, extended routes due to the restrictions.

"Air India regrets the inconvenience caused to our passengers due to this unforeseen airspace closure that is outside our control," the airline said.

Other carriers with international operations, including Air India Express, SpiceJet, and Akasa Air, are also expected to be impacted.

Senior airline officials said all west-bound flights from north Indian cities like Delhi, Amritsar, Jaipur, Lucknow, and Varanasi will face disruptions, as they must now take longer routes over the Arabian Sea.

A senior pilot said that flight durations to the US and Europe could increase by 2 to 2.5 hours, depending on the alternative routes chosen, reported PTI. A senior Air Traffic Controller noted that clarity on new routes would emerge once airlines file their flight plans.

The closure of Pakistani airspace, a critical corridor for Indian carriers, is set to raise operational costs.

Longer routes require more fuel, increasing expenses and posing payload challenges.

Airlines may need to reduce passenger numbers or baggage to manage aircraft weight. Lesser number of passengers in an aircraft means lower revenues, presenting financial challenges for the airlines. the airline said.

A senior travel industry executive that airfares for international flights operated by Indian carriers could rise by 8-12% due to the closure, reported PTI. Prolonged restrictions could drive ticket prices even higher, the executive added.

The combination of increased fuel costs and payload restrictions is a financial strain for airlines, which already operate on thin margins. As airlines will not be able to have higher load factors or more passengers in an aircraft operating international flights due to the external constraints, airfare are likely to sail northwards.

This is not the first time Pakistan has imposed such a ban. In February 2019, following Indian Air Force strikes in Balakot after the Pulwama attack, Pakistan closed its airspace to Indian airlines for several months.