Top Indian airlines such as IndiGo and SpiceJet are preparing for higher fuel costs and longer journey times as Pakistan closes its airspace amid a deadly Pahalgam attack. Carriers are rerouting international flights to address the situation.
The airspace closure decision by Pakistan impacts Indian airlines only. International carriers operating flights to India,such as Etihad, Emirates and others, can use Pakistan’s airspace as usual. This implications are sizeable, though.
The effects of the Pakistan airspace closure started becoming apparent on Thursday as many Indian airlines rerouted flights to destinations like Dubai and Baku – routes that typically pass through Pakistani airspace, according to flight tracking data from the industry.
Indian airlines release update amid Pakistan airspace closure
The Indira Gandhi International airport in Delhi is probably the hardest hit. It is one of the busiest airports and notes multiple flights operating to different parts of the UAE on a daily basis. Many carriers are releasing statements on the rerouting.
IndiGo, for example, noted in a statement on social media that some of its international flights are being impacted. The company has encouraged passengers to check the latest flight status and explore flexible re-booking options or claim a refund, if necessary.
Air India, on the other hand, has also announced that some of its flights to the Middle East and other parts of the globe could be required to take an alternate extended route. You can call on 011 69329333 or 011 69329999 to check if the flight is affected by the disruption.
UAE-India flights: Impact of Pakistan airspace closure
The closure of Pakistan airspace has raised concerns of disruption along one of the busiest routes. Multiple daily flights from Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah to major Indian cities such as Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru rely on the airspace for the most direct route.
The current situation is likely to require all the Indian carriers operating in the UAE to reroute their flights over the Arabian Sea or via longer southern paths, potentially adding around 1 hour of flying time. But there are other potential issues.
The rerouting is also expected to result in higher fuel costs and less space for cargo due to the additional fuel. Flight prices could be impacted, too. Air India, IndiGo, Air India Express, Akasa Air and SpiceJet are among the airlines impacted by the airspace closure.
For more details on the status of your flights, please check out your airline’s official platforms. You can also check out flightradar24.com for some of the most updated information on flight routes and airport disruptions across the globe.
IndiGo expands UAE-India connection: Plans flights to Fujairah
Compared to earlier years, today – it has become much easier to travel to the UAE from different parts of India. You can find regular flights to Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah. Starting May 15, IndiGo is going to operate daily flights to Fujairah from Mumbai and Kannur.
Fujairah is one of UAE’s best kept secrets. From Mumbai in Maharashtra and Kannur in Kerala, IndiGo is going to operate daily flights to the UAE city at 1:10 am and 8:55 pm. The entire journey is expected to take around 1.5 hours to 2.5 hours.
The IndiGo flights to Fujairah from India also enjoy strategically planned timings and carefully coordinated bus options. Passengers can make the most of dedicated bus options to and from Dubai and Sharjah. Please check out our detailed article for more information.
