Just when you thought travel disruptions couldn't get any worse in 2025, India and Pakistan are back at it, and this time, they're taking it to the skies.
Following a devastating terrorist attack in Indian-administered Kashmir that resulted in 26 casualties, tensions between the two nuclear neighbors have hit a meltdown.
The fallout? Pakistan has completely closed its airspace to Indian airlines, throwing international travel into complete chaos. Let's rewind.
In this post:
Background: The Pahalgam Attack
On April 22, a militant group claimed responsibility for an attack on Hindu tourists in Pahalgam, a popular tourist destination in Kashmir, India. India immediately pointed fingers at Pakistan-based terror groups.
Pakistan, predictably, denied involvement and called for an international investigation into the incident. Because of the high tensions between these nations, diplomatic relations crumbled overnight: visas canceled, diplomats kicked out, treaties suspended. You name it.
The real pain, though? It's travelers feeling it.
Airspace Closure and Travel Disruptions
In retaliation to India's accusations and subsequent actions, including the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty and visa cancellations, Pakistan officially closed its airspace to Indian carriers starting April 24, with no relief in sight until at least May 23.
That means Indian airlines are now scrambling to reroute flights, causing significant delays and increased operational costs. For instance, Air India flights from San Francisco and Toronto were diverted to Copenhagen, while flights from Paris and London were rerouted to Abu Dhabi. These diversions have resulted in delays of up to 10 hours.
“This is like if Canada closed its airspace to the US,” a Pakistani friend of mine explained.
It gets even worse for budget carriers. IndiGo has suspended flights from Delhi to Almaty and Tashkent until at least May 7 because the economics just don't work without a direct corridor.
All told, around 800 weekly flights operated by Indian airlines are affected, and yes, you can expect airfare to creep higher as airlines pass the costs onto you.
Broader Diplomatic Fallout
Of course, this airspace mess is just the tip of the iceberg.
India has expelled Pakistani diplomats, revoked visas, and shut down the main land border crossing. Pakistan has hit back by suspending trade with India and halting the Shimla Agreement.
Meanwhile, military tensions are flaring, with cross-border firing already reported along the Line of Control in Kashmir. The United Nations has called for maximum restraint to prevent further escalation, but if history is any guide...well, don’t hold your breath.
And in case you missed it: India has also suspended talks under the Indus Waters Treaty, the decades-old agreement that’s basically been the last thin thread holding things together during past crises.
The situation remains volatile, with significant implications for regional stability and international travel.
Final Thoughts
We don’t yet know how long this disruption will last, or whether it’s just another episode in the long-running tensions between the two neighbors.
However, if you are flying between India and Europe or North America in the coming weeks, expect longer flight times, higher fares, and potential delays. The airspace closure appears likely to remain in effect for the foreseeable future.
