Pakistan’s decision to close its airspace to Indian carriers, announced on Thursday amid rising tensions between the two countries, is set to increase flight durations and operating costs for Indian airlines.

This marks the first such airspace closure in six years. In 2019, Pakistan shut its airspace for five months following Indian Air Force strikes in Balakot.  

“This action will certainly have an impact on all westbound flights—including to the West Asia,Europe and the US—for Indian airlines. They will now have to plan alternate routes that will require more time and add to operational costs,” said a senior airline executive, requesting anonymity.

Flights departing from India to destinations in the West, and vice versa, routinely traverse Pakistani airspace. Indian carriers such as Air India, IndiGo, and SpiceJet, along with international airlines including United, British Airways, and Air France, rely on this route. The closure will lead to longer travel times and increased fuel consumption.

“Due to the announced restriction of Pakistan airspace for all Indian airlines, it is expected that some Air India flights to or from North America, the UK, Europe, and the West Asia will take an alternative extended route,” Air India said in a statement.

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IndiGo, India’s largest airline by market share, said it is offering flexible rebooking and refunds to passengers impacted by the closure. “In view of the ongoing situation and Pakistan airspace closure, a few international flight schedules may be impacted. We’re working to minimise the inconvenience,” the airline said.

West Asian countries are the biggest international market for Indian carriers having connectivity with not just Delhi and Mumbai but smaller cities of the country as well.

“Our flights to the UAE from North India will operate via alternate routes. As a result, these flights will carry additional fuel to account for the longer flying time. There is no significant impact on our flight schedules,” SpiceJet said.

In 2019 Indian airlines lost over Rs 550 crore due to the airspace closure by Pakistan, India’s civil aviation ministry had said then with Air India losing Rs 491 crore followed by Rs 31 crore by SpiceJet. The closure had also led to Pakistan losing $100 million in charges from airlines using its airspace.