• Source:JND
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The ban imposed by Pakistan on Indian airlines using its airspace is now visibly affecting flight operations. With limited alternative routes, international flight schedules are being disrupted, and cancellations have begun. IndiGo has announced that due to these restrictions, destinations such as Almaty and Tashkent are currently beyond the operational range of its existing fleet.

As a result, flights to Almaty scheduled between April 27 and May 7 and to Tashkent from April 28 to May 7 have been cancelled. A spokesperson for IndiGo stated, "We hope our customers understand the situation and the constraints we are facing."

Arrival Delays Of Up To Six Hours

Flights arriving from Europe, the Gulf region, Central Asia, and the United States are now experiencing significant delays. On Friday, several international flights landed in India up to six hours behind schedule. Air India flight AI 102 from New York to New Delhi was delayed by four hours, while flight AI 126 from Chicago to New Delhi arrived five hours late.

Air India’s flight from San Francisco to New Delhi arrived nearly six hours late. Flight AI 112 from London, originally scheduled to land at IGI Airport at 3:10 AM on Thursday night, eventually touched down at around 6:45 AM. Similarly, flight AI 142 from Paris, which was due to arrive at 8:35 AM on Friday morning, landed at approximately 10:00 AM.

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Widespread Delays Across Europe, Middle East

Flights from key European cities, including Vienna, Amsterdam, and Frankfurt, also experienced delays upon arrival in New Delhi. The situation was no different for flights from the Gulf region. Arrivals from Dubai, Sharjah, Jeddah, Abu Dhabi, and Bahrain were delayed by anywhere from one to three hours.

In Central Asia and the Caucasus region, delays persisted as well. A flight from Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, landed in New Delhi an hour and a half late. Meanwhile, the flight from Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia, arrived with a delay of nearly five hours.

Advisory Issued

In response to the ongoing disruption, airlines have issued advisories to keep passengers informed about delays and cancellations.

IndiGo stated that passengers whose flights are affected can seek assistance by contacting customer care or visiting the airline’s official website. The airline is offering flexible options, including rebooking and refunds, to accommodate passengers' needs.

Air India, in its advisory, noted that flights connecting to North America, the UK, Europe, and the Middle East are now being rerouted through longer, alternative paths instead of the usual air corridors. As a result, passengers should expect increased travel times.