Airspace Closure After Pahalgam Attack Cost Air India Rs 4,000 Crore, Routes Rerouted Heavily Across Continents

New Delhi: The April 2025 Pahalgam terror attack killed many and shocked the nation. In its aftermath, India launched Operation Sindoor against Pakistan-based networks. Tensions rose sharply along the border and in the skies. For safety and strategy, both nations closed their airspace to each other. Commercial and defense flights faced new restrictions overnight. Airlines had to redraw maps within hours. The ripple hit every international schedule touching those corridors.

How did closures change routes?

Flights that normally cut across Pakistan had to swing south or far north. Europe and North America sectors took the biggest hit for Indian carriers. Longer paths meant more time in the air. That immediately pushed fuel burn higher per rotation. Crews crossed duty limits and needed extra staffing. Connections were missed and aircraft rotations slipped. Delays stacked up even on otherwise clear-weather days.

What did Air India reveal?

Air India’s CEO Campbell Wilson quantified the pain. He said the airline absorbed an estimated ₹4,000 crore impact. The loss came from fuel, crew, and disruption costs. Reroutes added sixty to ninety minutes on many legs. Each extra minute multiplied across the network. Even minor detours became large numbers at scale. The year, already tough, turned even harder.

Which sectors suffered most?

India–Europe services saw stretched tracks and tight slots. India–US and India–Canada flights burned far more fuel. Westbound legs faced stronger headwinds on longer arcs. Eastbound returns struggled to match published schedules. Cargo loads were trimmed to manage range limits. Reserve fuel requirements climbed for safety margins. The overall efficiency of the fleet dropped visibly.

Did passengers feel the impact?

Yes, journey times rose and sleep plans broke. Missed onward connections forced hotel and rebooking costs. Lounges, crews, and gates got crowded at odd hours. Some flyers chose one-stop options via third countries. Others postponed non-urgent trips to avoid uncertainty. Loyalty travelers accepted disruptions but demanded clarity. Communication became as crucial as on-time performance.

Could airlines soften the blow?

Carriers tweaked block times and swapped aircraft types. Ultra-long-range frames were prioritized on hurt routes. Tankering decisions were revisited to balance fuel prices. Crew rostering changed to protect duty limits. Schedule buffers were added to absorb shocks. Tech ops watched engines for higher-cycle stress. Still, no tweak could fully erase longer skies.

What happens if skies reopen?

If airspace normalizes, timetables can compress again. Fuel and crew bills would decline quickly. Airlines could restore payloads and tighter connections. Yet losses already booked will not vanish. Network planning will keep contingency routings ready. Insurers and lessors will price geopolitical risk carefully. For now, carriers fly longer to keep India connected.