Several Asian airlines have taken decisive action, either rerouting or cancelling flights to and from India and Pakistan, amid escalating tensions that have resulted in one of the most severe exchanges of fire between the two neighboring countries in the past two decades. This rise in hostilities has prompted concerns not only for regional stability but also for international aviation operations.
Navigational data indicates a significant reduction of civilian aircraft in the airspace over northern India and southern Pakistan. Following the recent conflict, air traffic in Pakistan has dwindled to a minimal level, reflecting the heightened security situation. Reports from Sanad, a verification agency, confirmed the presence of Indian military aircraft in northern India, as well as a Pakistani government aircraft in the southern region just prior to the drastic reduction of flight activity.
As of Wednesday morning, FlightRadar24, which tracks global flights, reported that a total of 52 flights to and from Pakistan had been cancelled. When hostilities escalated, there were approximately 57 international flights operating in Pakistani airspace, as validated by a spokesman for the Pakistan Army. In light of the increasing tensions, Karachi’s airport reported minimal activity, with only two international flights operating after an extensive eight-hour suspension.
Air India has responded to these developments by cancelling flights to multiple cities, including Jammu, Srinagar, and other key northern destinations, until at least May 10. Similarly, India has temporarily closed several airports in its northern region, impacting airline operations significantly. Other domestic carriers, such as IndiGo and SpiceJet, have also suspended services to various airports near the border with Pakistan.
International airlines have similarly adjusted their routes in response to these developments. Malaysian Airlines has halted flights to Amritsar and rerouted long-haul flights due to the closure of Pakistani airspace. Furthermore, Indonesia’s Batik Air has also cancelled flights to and from Lahore and Amritsar, reflecting widespread disruption across the aviation sector.
Notably, airlines from countries such as the Netherlands, Singapore, Taiwan, and South Korea have either suspended flights over Pakistan or adjusted their flight paths. Korean Air announced it would now take a southern route to Dubai, avoiding Pakistani airspace altogether. Throughout these developments, other airlines, including Thai Airways and Vietnam Airlines, have made similar adjustments to their European routes, reflecting a broader impact on international travel.
Despite the complexities arising from the current situation, Sri Lankan Airlines has reported that its operations remain unaffected, continuing its weekly flights to Lahore and Karachi without interruption. This reflects a commitment to maintaining connectivity in the region even amid challenging circumstances.
As regional tensions continue to unfold, the aviation sector grapples with the