India Shuts Airspace to Pakistani Airlines in Escalating Diplomatic Fallout from Pahalgam Terror Attack

 In a significant escalation of diplomatic tensions following the deadly Pahalgam terror attack, India has formally closed its airspace to all aircraft operated, owned, or leased by Pakistan-based airlines and operators, including military flights. The restrictions, effective immediately, are expected to remain in place until at least May 23, as per a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) issued by Indian aviation authorities.

This move mirrors Pakistan’s earlier decision to ban Indian flights from using its airspace—a retaliatory step taken last week in response to a suite of punitive measures announced by New Delhi in the aftermath of the April 22 attack, which killed 26 people, including foreign tourists.

Under the current restrictions, commercial carriers registered in Pakistan, including national flag carrier Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), are barred from transiting Indian airspace. However, the directive does not extend to foreign carriers operating from Pakistan, such as Emirates, Qatar Airways, and Turkish Airlines, which continue to operate over Indian skies without disruption.

As a result of the Indian ban, PIA has been forced to reroute some of its international flights—such as those bound for Kuala Lumpur—through Chinese airspace, significantly increasing flight time and operational costs.

The latest tit-for-tat measure is part of a broader series of retaliatory actions undertaken by India following the Pahalgam attack. These include the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty provisions, closure of the Integrated Check Post at Attari, diplomatic downgrades, and the expulsion of Pakistani nationals.

The ongoing airspace restrictions have disrupted international aviation routes in South Asia, affecting both operational logistics and airline finances. More than 600 India-bound westward flights were impacted by Pakistan’s airspace closure over the past week, with around 120 requiring unscheduled fuel stops en route to Europe, North America, and other destinations.

According to industry estimates and data sourced from online travel platforms and Cirium analytics, the airspace closure is projected to add approximately ₹77 crore in weekly operational costs for Indian airlines. This figure primarily reflects increased fuel consumption and longer flight durations for international services originating from key northern hubs.

A detailed analysis suggests that the cumulative monthly impact on Indian carriers could exceed ₹307 crore. Of this, routes to Europe and North America account for nearly ₹306 crore, given the additional 1.5 hours of flight time per journey—costing an average of ₹22–29 lakh per flight depending on the destination. Services to the Middle East, primarily operated by narrow-body aircraft, contribute another ₹90 crore in added monthly expenses due to an estimated 45-minute detour.

Indian carriers operate approximately 800 weekly international flights from northern cities such as Delhi, Amritsar, and Lucknow, with over 3,100 outbound and inbound flights recorded monthly across Europe, North America, and the Middle East. The compounded operational burden not only impacts cost efficiency but also strains aircraft availability, crew duty scheduling, and payload management.

Aviation industry observers note that unless diplomatic tensions ease and airspace access is restored, the current standoff could have lasting financial and logistical consequences for airlines on both sides of the border, further complicating an already volatile regional security environment.