Pakistani Airspace Shutdown Forces Air India, IndiGo to Reroute Global Flights

Air India and IndiGo said Thursday they are diverting multiple international services after Pakistan abruptly closed its airspace to Indian carriers amid rising India‑Pakistan tensions following the Pahalgam terror attack.

Air India warned that flights to North America, the UK, Europe and the Middle East will take longer, fuel‑costlier routes that skirt Pakistani territory. “The restriction is beyond our control, but customer and crew safety remains paramount,” the airline posted on X.

IndiGo likewise reported “a few” affected overseas flights and urged passengers to monitor live schedules; fee‑free rebooking and refunds are being offered.

Islamabad’s National Security Committee, chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, ordered the closure at an emergency session, calling it a response to India’s “unilateral moves.” The decision adds a fresh layer of disruption to already fragile bilateral relations.