Pakistan Shuts Airspace to Indian Airlines: What You Need to Know

On Thursday, Pakistan decided to close its airspace to Indian airlines. This decision disrupted many international flights because of rising tensions between India and Pakistan after a tragic terror attack in Pahalgam that killed 26 people.

Air India stated that flights to places like North America, the UK, Europe, and the Middle East would take longer routes. They shared this news on a social media platform called X. Air India apologized for any trouble this might cause to passengers, saying, “The safety of our customers and crew is our top priority.”

IndiGo, another airline, also mentioned that this sudden airspace closure affected some of its international flights. They told passengers that they are working hard to get them to their destinations as soon as possible.

Tensions rose further when India decided to lower its diplomatic ties with Pakistan. This was in response to concerns about Pakistan’s role in the Pahalgam attack. India took several actions, such as stopping the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty and closing the Attari-Wagah land crossing, which is the only road link between the two countries.

This closure is significant for Pakistan, as they depend on water from India for their farms and electricity. In reaction, Pakistan closed its airspace to all Indian-owned and Indian-operated airlines, stopped all trade with India (even through other countries), and canceled special visa benefits for Indian nationals that were given to them in the past.