Pakistan Shuts Airspace, Halts Visas for Indians After Kashmir Attack

Amid escalating tensions following a deadly militant attack in Indian-occupied Kashmir, Pakistan has suspended visas for Indian nationals and closed its airspace to Indian airlines, triggering widespread impacts across the aviation industry and diplomatic relations between the two nations.

Action	Details
Visas from Pakistan	All visa services for Indian nationals suspended under exemption schemes
Airspace Closure	All Indian-owned and Indian-operated aircraft banned from Pakistani airspace
Border Closures	Attari-Wagah land border shut down
Diplomatic Measures	Pakistani diplomats expelled; Indian High Commission staff reduced
Trade Relations	All bilateral trade between the nations halted

Impact on Flights from Pakistan & Indian Airlines

Pakistan’s airspace closure is causing massive rerouting of flights, particularly those departing from New Delhi, a major hub for international travel.

Affected Airlines & Destinations

Air India

Flights to Europe, UK, Middle East, North America

Extended flying time by ~1 hour

IndiGo

Flights to Azerbaijan, Dubai, New York

Higher fuel costs and longer routes

Air India Express

Budget carrier operations from New Delhi hit hard

Real Flight Example

Flight	Original Route Time	Rerouted Time	Detour Path
IndiGo 6E1803 (DEL–Baku)	5h 5m	5h 43m	Via Gujarat → Arabian Sea → Iran → Baku

Cost Implications for Indian Airlines

Airlines in India are set to face soaring operational costs due to the following:

Increased fuel consumption (up to 30% of operating cost)

Reduced cargo capacity to accommodate more fuel

Rescheduling of pilot and crew rosters

Delays in global connectivity

“Air India is currently the most affected with the largest long- and ultra-long haul network out of Delhi.”
— Ajay Awtaney, Founder, LiveFromALounge

Effects on Pakistan Airports and Aviation

While the ban specifically targets Indian carriers, Pakistan airports remain open for international flights not operated by Indian airlines. This is intended to minimize disruption for neutral international traffic while maintaining firm action against India.

Background: What Triggered the Crisis?

On Tuesday, a group of armed militants attacked a group of Indian tourists in Pahalgam, Kashmir, killing 26 people.

India’s Allegations:

Claims attackers were affiliated with Pakistan-based group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT)

Identified two suspects as Pakistani nationals

Prime Minister Modi vowed harsh retaliation:

"We will pursue them to the ends of the Earth."

Pakistan’s Response:

Denied all involvement in the attack

Called Indian accusations "baseless and unsupported by evidence"

Condemned the unilateral suspension of the Indus Water Treaty, labeling any interference as an “Act of War”

Timeline of Diplomatic Fallout

Date	Event
April 23, 2025	Kashmir attack kills 26 Indian tourists
April 24, 2025	India suspends visa services to Pakistan
April 25, 2025	Pakistan retaliates with airspace closure and visa suspension for Indians

Visa Suspension: What You Need to Know

If you're planning travel from India to Pakistan, or seeking visas from Pakistan, here are the key takeaways:

All tourist, business, and diplomatic visas suspended

No new visa applications from Indian citizens will be processed

Indian nationals already in Pakistan advised to contact their consulate

The Bigger Picture: What’s Next?

Sector	Potential Outcome
Aviation	Delays, cost hikes, disrupted global schedules
Diplomacy	Further reduction in bilateral engagements
Trade & Economy	Cross-border trade likely to remain frozen
Public Sentiment	Growing tensions and calls for restraint from global powers

Reactions from the Region

Kashmiri Politicians: Condemned the attack, called for peace

Student Organizations: Report harassment of Kashmiri students in India

Global Observers: Warn of potential military escalation

With both countries exchanging diplomatic and logistical blows, the closure of Pakistan's airspace to Indian airlines and suspension of visas from Pakistan to India marks a serious deterioration in bilateral relations. Travelers, aviation operators, and diplomats must brace for prolonged disruption as the region navigates yet another cycle of conflict and retaliation.

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