Pakistan Closes Airspace to Indian Airplanes Following Pahalgam Attack

In the wake of a tragic terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which claimed the lives of 26 people, Pakistan has closed its airspace to Indian carriers.

Flights departing from northern Indian cities, such as Delhi, are particularly affected, as they now need to bypass Pakistani airspace. This detour adds significant travel time up to 2.5 hours for some routes and increases fuel requirements.

Passengers are advised to prepare for potential delays and higher ticket prices. Airlines like Air India and IndiGo have issued advisories, urging travelers to check flight schedules and explore flexible rebooking options.

The airspace closure is part of a broader escalation in tensions between India and Pakistan following the Pahalgam attack. India has taken several retaliatory measures, including suspending visa services for Pakistani nationals and revoking previously issued visas. Pakistan, in turn, has not only closed its airspace but also suspended trade and downgraded diplomatic relations with India.

Tensions in diplomatic relations between India and Pakistan were already high before the recent measures, with Pakistan expelling India's envoy and refraining from appointing its own ambassador to New Delhi following India's 2019 decision to revoke Kashmir's semi-autonomous status.