NuzTube INDIA
In the wake of escalating tensions following the Pahalgam terror attack, a serious diplomatic standoff has led to India and Pakistan closing their airspace to each other. As a result, Indian airlines are facing increased operational challenges, including longer routes, higher fuel costs, and disrupted schedules.
The Indian government is actively exploring alternate flight paths to bypass Pakistan’s airspace. Top officials from India’s defence, external affairs, and civil aviation ministries convened recently with airline executives to evaluate potential solutions. According to The Economic Times, the focus is on decongesting western airspace and finding safe, viable alternatives for international routes.
One proposed path involves rerouting flights from Delhi northward over Leh, passing through Hind Kush, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan, ultimately reaching Europe and North America—completely avoiding Pakistan and Afghanistan. While this route has technical feasibility, it may require access to Chinese airspace, for which diplomatic clearance would be needed.
Currently, most international flights are rerouting southward, flying over Ahmedabad and the Arabian Sea, then toward Muscat before continuing west. This detour has caused increased flight durations and operational costs. Airlines like IndiGo and Air India are particularly affected, with Air India even resorting to technical stops on its long-haul flights to the US.
Aviation authorities are also exploring the possibility of filing a formal complaint with the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), arguing that Pakistan’s unilateral move violates the 1944 Convention on International Civil Aviation, which mandates freedom of overflight for civilian aircraft during peacetime.
Implementing the new northern route isn’t simple. Flying over high-altitude regions will require aircraft to be equipped with over 22 minutes of oxygen supply, and crew members must undergo high-altitude operational training. According to a government official, “Safety assessments will be critical. No route will be cleared without ensuring full operational readiness.”
While the search for alternatives continues, India’s strategic and diplomatic response will play a vital role in shaping both regional aviation and geopolitical outcomes in the weeks ahead.
