India to Suffer Heavier Air Fares As Top Global Airlines Avoid Pakistani Airspace

Air France, Germany’s Lufthansa, and other major international airlines have stopped flying through Pakistani airspace to India amid heightened tensions between Islamabad and New Delhi following last month’s Kashmir terror episode, Reuters reported. Lufthansa Group confirmed its carriers are avoiding Pakistani airspace until further notice. Lufthansa flight LH760 from Frankfurt to New Delhi took nearly one hour longer on Sunday. Swiss International Air Lines is also rebooking missed connections at no charge. Air France also suspended overflights and adjusted schedules to destinations including Delhi, Bangkok, and Ho Chi Minh City, resulting in longer flight times. Flight-tracking data showed British Airways, Swiss, and Emirates flights rerouting over the Arabian Sea before turning north to Delhi to avoid Pakistan. India closed its airspace to Pakistani carriers, while Pakistan banned Indian-operated aircraft, suspended trade, and stopped special visas for Indian citizens. It still allows overflights by other international carriers. Avoiding Pakistani airspace increases fuel costs and flight durations for airlines. Pakistan also faces a likely drop in overflight fee revenue, which can reach hundreds of dollars per flight.