(MENAFN- Kashmir Observer) New Delhi- Over 90 flights to and from Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport were cancelled on Thursday as rising military tensions between India and Pakistan sent shockwaves through global aviation networks. The disruption follows India's targeted strikes under Operation Sindoor on terror infrastructure across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in retaliation for the Pahalgam terror attack last month that killed at least 26 people.
A total of 46 domestic departures, 33 arrivals, 5 international departures, and 6 international arrivals were cancelled in Delhi alone, according to an airport source. India's largest carrier IndiGo has grounded 165 flights until Saturday morning, sending its shares down 1.1%. Other airlines, including Air India, SpiceJet, and Akasa Air, also reported cancellations.
Indian armed forces struck nine sites in Pakistan and PoK on Wednesday, prompting Pakistan to claim it had shot down five Indian fighter jets in retaliation. While India stated it had targeted“terrorist infrastructure,” Pakistan rejected the existence of such camps and condemned the attacks as dangerous escalations that risk civilian lives.
The airstrikes and ensuing military rhetoric have led to the closure of around 27 airports across India and Pakistan, disrupting both domestic and international flight operations.
International carriers swiftly responded. United Airlines cancelled its Delhi-bound flight citing“airspace limitations.” Lufthansa, KLM, Singapore Airlines, Korean Air, and China Airlines have either rerouted or cancelled flights to avoid Pakistani airspace. Thai Airways and American Airlines also adjusted their schedules to minimize risk.
Read Also
CM Omar Orders Safe Shelters For Border Residents
Stop Streaming Pakistani Content: GOI to OTT Platforms
Images from flight tracking websites showed long streams of aircraft rerouting via Oman, UAE, and Kuwait to bypass the conflict zone, increasing concerns of regional airspace congestion. Lufthansa's Delhi–Frankfurt flight on Wednesday was delayed by over 30 minutes due to the extended routing.
Pakistan, which had temporarily closed its airspace following the attacks, said its airports are now“fully functional” but expressed concern over the safety of Gulf country airliners. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's office accused India of putting 57 international flights at risk during the strikes.
Aviation advisory group OPSGROUP warned that Pakistan could impose a full airspace lockdown if hostilities escalate further, similar to the 2019 shutdown that lasted nearly six months.
GPS spoofing, regional conflicts, and now airspace shutdowns are compounding operational headaches for airlines already navigating geopolitical risks. The Association of Asia Pacific Airlines raised alarms over the growing impact of such crises on commercial aviation in South Asia and the Middle East.
As of 10:30 GMT on Thursday, 3% of scheduled flights in India and a staggering 17% in Pakistan were cancelled, according to aviation tracking service Flightradar24.
With airspace restrictions, rerouted paths, and political uncertainty mounting, aviation industry insiders fear that the longer this standoff persists, the more severe the fallout for regional and international connectivity.
Follow this link to join our WhatsApp group : Join Now
Comments
No comment