India unveiled diplomatic measures after last week’s terrorist attack in Pahgam in Jammu and Kashmir last week, killing 26 people, Pakistan replied – among other stages – closing their airspace for Indian airlines. This remedy has affected the most flights from North America, for example, extended time to fly from San Francisco to Delhi for about four and a half hours.
According to a blog by flight tracking website Flightradar24Fleeing a fuel stop is required without access to Pakistan airspace to fly from Delhi to North America. Air India, said, the Austrian capital Vienna and Denmark’s capital Copenhagen have established fuel -filling stops, with most of the previous traffic.
The website stated that AI127 from Delhi to Chicago flew through Pakistan airspace and was covered at a average of 14 hours and 12,500 km for 47 minutes to cover the distance. Now when the flight is to avoid Pakistan airspace and a stop to fuel, it will have to cover about 15,000 km for more than 19 hours to go to Chicago.
Some Air India flights from North America are also stopping to fuel in Vienna or Copenhagen while returning to India. AI174 from San Francisco to Delhi used to take 15 hours and 25 minutes non-stop. With the prohibition of a fuel filling in Vienna, the total time to go to Delhi is now more than 20 hours.
The blog said that regional flights are also being affected, with IndiGo Flight 61806, which used to take 18 minutes from Delhi for 2 hours, 18 minutes, now traveling 5 hours, 30 minutes and Iran and Turkmenistan in the Uzbekistani capital Tashkant of Tashkent.
Take airlines
In a post on X on 24 April, Air India said that it hoped some Air India to take an extended route from North America, Britain, Europe and Middle East.
“Due to the declared ban of Pakistan for all Indian airlines, it is expected that some Air India will take an alternative extended route from North America, UK, Europe and Middle East. Air India regrets our passengers to fulfill the inconveniences caused by exit. Call on or go to our website http://airindia.com, “Airline has written on X.
In a travel advisor, IndiGo said, “We are closely monitoring the situation after Pakistan suddenly shut down. Some international flights are affected. Please http://bit.ly/31Pavkqq and Rebeoking Options http://bit.ly/31lwd2y.”
India’s steps
A day after the attack, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri had said that Pakistani citizens would not be allowed to travel to India under the SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) Visa Rebate Scheme.
The 1960 Indus Waters Treaty, Mr. Misri announced, until “Pakistan reliably and irreversible ended its support for cross -border terrorism”, and the integrated check post in Attari would be shut down with immediate effect. The Foreign Secretary said, “Those who have crossed with legitimate support can return by that route before May 1.”
Another major announcement was that defense/military, Navy and aerial advisors at the Pakistani High Commission in New Delhi have been declared “personality non -Greta” and would have to leave India.
A day later, India also canceled most of the visas issued to Pakistanis, including medical visas.
Pakistan measures
Pakistan responded two days after the attack, announced that it was shutting down its airspace for Indian airlines.
A statement by the Government of Pakistan said that it will “exercise rights” to keep all bilateral agreements – including the leading caretaker – on hold.
The country also suspended all visas under the SAARC visa discount scheme, except Sikh religious pilgrims.
