In response to heightened regional tensions following a Pakistan-sponsored terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam that claimed 26 lives, major international carriers Air France and Lufthansa have suspended the use of Pakistani airspace to ensure the safety of their operations.
Air France issued a statement confirming the change in flight paths, saying, “Due to recent tensions between India and Pakistan, the airline has decided to suspend overflight of Pakistan until further notice.”
German carrier Lufthansa echoed the same precautionary stance, announcing that its aircraft are “avoiding Pakistani airspace until further notice.” The airline acknowledged that this decision would result in longer flying times on certain routes to Asia but emphasized that safety remains its top priority. Lufthansa also mentioned that it is closely monitoring developments in the region to make further decisions accordingly.
Flight tracking data supports these changes, showing that several international airlines have begun adjusting their flight paths to steer clear of Pakistani airspace. These alternative routes are more circuitous and contribute to increased flying times and fuel consumption, but they are considered necessary in light of the current geopolitical climate.
Other prominent carriers, including British Airways, Swiss International Air Lines, and Emirates, have also been observed diverting their routes to avoid Pakistani airspace. These changes, while operationally more demanding, reflect a growing consensus among global airlines to prioritize passenger safety amid rising regional instability.
Pakistan, already facing significant economic challenges, is expected to see a financial impact from this shift, as revenues generated from overflight fees will likely decline with leading airlines bypassing the country’s airspace.
Indian carriers have also responded swiftly to the evolving situation. Both Air India and IndiGo have announced that their international flights will adopt alternative, extended routes after Pakistan effectively closed its airspace to Indian aircraft in the wake of the brutal Pahalgam attack.
IndiGo noted that its international operations would now involve longer flight sectors, necessitating slight adjustments to schedules due to the need to circumvent Pakistani airspace. As a result, the airline has suspended flights to destinations such as Almaty and Tashkent, as these cities have become unreachable with IndiGo’s existing aircraft range.
Similarly, Air India has stated that all its flights to and from destinations in North America, Europe, the UK, and the Middle East will now take extended alternative routes. This will lead to longer journey durations and higher fuel costs, but the airline emphasized that the changes are essential for maintaining operational safety.
