Pakistan airspace closure impacts Indian airlines

The closure of Pakistani airspace has caused significant operational challenges and financial losses for major Indian airlines. Following the Pahalgam incident on April 24, 2025, Pakistan restricted Indian aircraft from its airspace, a ban that is being extended monthly and is currently set to remain in place until September 24, 2026.

Five major Indian carriers—Air India, IndiGo, Air India Express, Akasa Air, and SpiceJet—are heavily impacted. The restrictions affect approximately 800 weekly flights, with about 115 daily flights either cancelled or forced to use longer, alternative routes. These longer flight paths have led to increased operational costs, including higher expenses for refueling, landing, takeoff, parking, and additional crew duty pay.

Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport is the most affected hub, seeing a reduction of approximately 640 weekly flights to destinations including the United Kingdom, the United States, Frankfurt, Istanbul, and Almaty. Air India has reportedly suffered the highest financial losses among the affected airlines.