• Source:JND
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Indian carriers are facing extreme operational difficulties after Pakistan closed its skies for Indian airlines. The step, which was taken due to rising tension between the two countries in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack, is likely to affect the flight routes, travel times, and prices of international flights, especially west-bound flights from northern Indian cities such as Delhi.

Cities of Delhi, Amritsar, Jaipur, Lucknow, and Varanasi, being major hubs for overseas travel, will directly feel the pinch. Flights from these places will have to take longer routes, which means longer travel times and even changing schedules. The scenario highlights the strategic value of Pakistan's airspace for Indian airlines as well as the larger role of geopolitical tensions for civil aviation.

Extended Flight Durations And Operational Challenges

Air India and IndiGo have admitted interruptions to their global services, citing that flights to North American, UK, European, and Middle Eastern destinations will now have to take longer alternative routes via the Arabian Sea. A top pilot told PTI that flight times to the US and Europe would be extended by 2 to 2.5 hours. These longer routes will increase fuel use and may require payload changes, such as a decrease in passenger loads or cargo weight, to provide safety and efficiency.

Predicted Rise in Airfares

The longer routes and corresponding operational expenses are bound to mean higher fares for air passengers. Estimated that prices of international flights operated by Indian carriers could go up by 8-12 per cent in the short term. If the closure of airspace continues, fares can go even higher, causing financial difficulties for airlines and passengers alike.

Current Airfare Trends: India to Dubai

As of April 2025, one-way flight fares from Delhi to Dubai vary depending on the airline and booking website. Expedia puts prices at around 147 USD (about Rs 12,000) for a one-way fare, with round-trip fares starting at 274 USD (about Rs 22,000). Air India puts economy class flights from Delhi to Dubai at Rs 19,927, with business class prices around Rs 60,359. These fares are variable depending on demand, time of booking, and route modification due to the closure of airspace.

This is not the first time Pakistan has shut its airspace to Indian carriers. In February 2019, after the Pulwama terror attack and subsequent Indian airstrikes in Balakot, Pakistan had also shut Indian airlines out of its airspace for a few months. The latest closure reinforces the susceptibility of international air routes to geopolitical events and the ripple effects on global travel and trade.