Tensions between India and Pakistan have escalated sharply following the brutal Pahalgam attack, which claimed the lives of 26 people, most of them tourists. In response, India is now actively considering a series of retaliatory measures—including shutting its airspace to Pakistani airlines and banning Pakistani ships from docking at Indian ports.
According to sources cited by India Today, the closure of Indian airspace would force Pakistani carriers to take significantly longer routes, likely rerouting flights through China and Sri Lanka. This would not only increase travel time but also operational costs for the already struggling Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), which currently operates limited flights to the East, including destinations like Beijing and Kuala Lumpur.
India’s Civil Aviation Minister, K. Rammohan Naidu, confirmed that the government is monitoring the evolving situation closely. “We are assessing the situation and working with airlines,” he stated. The ministry is also evaluating how this airspace standoff may impact passengers, especially in terms of delays, flight rerouting, and rising ticket prices due to increased fuel consumption and extended flying hours.
Even as India contemplates these restrictions, Pakistani carriers have already begun avoiding Indian airspace, anticipating reciprocal action from New Delhi. The Pakistan Prime Minister’s Office recently declared that Pakistani airspace would be shut “with immediate effect” to all Indian-owned or operated airlines. This move was seen as a direct fallout of the post-Pahalgam diplomatic breakdown.
In light of the heightened tensions and airspace restrictions, India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has issued comprehensive advisories to all airlines. These include mandates for enhanced communication with passengers about route changes, longer flight durations, and possible technical stopovers at intermediate airports. Airlines are required to update passengers via SMS, email, check-in counters, and boarding gates. Additionally, airline call centres and reservation teams must be briefed about potential delays and disruptions.
Meanwhile, international and regional flights originating from Delhi and other northern cities have already undergone significant rerouting.
Adding to the diplomatic fallout, New Delhi is reportedly also weighing a ban on Pakistani vessels from entering Indian ports. This would further escalate the economic and logistical impact on Pakistan and reflects the seriousness with which India is responding to the Pahalgam massacre.
