UAE- India Travel: Air India, IndiGo Flights To Face Delays Due To Pakistan Airspace Closure
Leading Indian carriers flying to and from the UAE will face delays and have extended flying times following Pakistan's decisions to close its airspace to Indian carriers.
India's flag carrier, Air India, announced Thursday that several of its international flights to and from the Middle East, North America, the UK, and Europe, may face delays or be forced to take extended routes following Pakistan's decision to close its airspace to Indian carriers.
IMPORTANT UPDATE: Due to the announced restriction of Pakistan airspace for all Indian airlines, it is expected that some Air India flights to or from North America, UK, Europe, and Middle East will take an alternative extended route. Air India regrets the inconvenience caused… — Air India (@airindia) April 24, 2025
Air India said in a statement, 'Due to the announced restriction of Pakistan airspace for all Indian airlines, it is expected that some Air India flights to or from North America, UK, Europe, and Middle East will take an alternative extended route.'
It said, 'Air India regrets the inconvenience caused to our passengers due to this unforeseen airspace closure outside our control. We would like to reiterate that at Air India, the safety of our customers and crew remains top priority.'
India's biggest carrier by market share – IndiGo – will also face similar issues, it confirmed in a statement. The incident comes two days after gunmen fired shots at unarmed citizens visiting Kashmir's Pahalgham, killing 26 tourists.
'Due to Pakistan's sudden announcement of air space closure, a few of our international flights are being impacted. We understand the inconvenience this may cause and our teams are doing their best to help you reach your destination at the earliest,' IndiGo said.
The airline has encouraged passengers to check the latest flight status, and is offering fliers flexible rebooking options, or refund claims, in case they would like to cancel their trips.
'We deeply value your patience and understanding, and remain committed to supporting our fellow citizens during these challenging times,' the airline said.
Indian carriers faced a similar situation for about five months in 2019 after the Pulwama terror attack.
Travel agents in the UAE confirmed the news, and said that UAE travellers may have to face longer flight times due to the airspace closures. 'This has happened in 2019. At this point, passengers do not have to worry about airfares rising due to this issue,' said Raheesh Babu, COO of Musafir.com.
'Flights, particularly to cities in North and North-West India such as Delhi, Jaipur, and Ahmedabad, located in states like Gujarat and Rajasthan that share land borders closer to Pakistan, may need to route further south over the Indian Ocean and Bay of Bengal,' said a travel expert.
'Although these longer routes will consume more fuel and time, there are indications that airline ticket prices are not expected to increase as a result,' the expert said.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Gulf Insider
10 hours ago
- Gulf Insider
No Travel Ban On Indians: Saudi Arabia's Temporary Visa Restrictions Linked To Hajj Season
Saudi Arabia is expected to lift the temporary travel restrictions on Indian nationals following the end of visa regulations introduced earlier in April to manage the flow of pilgrims and reduce overcrowding during the Hajj season. In April 2025, the Saudi authorities temporarily suspended the issuance of Umrah, business, and family visit visas to nationals of 14 countries, including India. This measure, which will remain in place until mid-June 2025, was implemented as part of the Kingdom's broader efforts to streamline pilgrimage operations and ensure the safety and comfort of worshippers and visitors. The temporary ban was not a targeted travel ban against specific nationalities but rather a logistical measure to prevent congestion in the lead-up to Hajj. It primarily affected short-term visa categories and does not reflect any change in the broader bilateral ties between Saudi Arabia and the countries involved. Indian citizens are expected to regain access to short-term visa services following the conclusion of the Hajj season and resumption of regular visa processing. As such, reports suggesting a broader ban on Indian travellers entering Saudi Arabia are inaccurate. No official notification has been issued by the Saudi government restricting general travel from India. Saudi Arabia remains a key destination for millions of Indian expatriates, pilgrims, and business travellers, and both nations continue to enjoy strong and growing ties across sectors such as trade, energy, culture, and religious tourism.
Gulf Insider
3 days ago
- Gulf Insider
Philippines Grants Visa-Free Entry To Indian Tourists From June 8
Indian nationals can now enter the Philippines without a visa for up to 30 days under new immigration rules coming into effect on June 8, 2025, according to an advisory issued by the Philippine Embassy in Abu Dhabi and the Consulate General in Dubai. Under the revised visa policy quoted by the Filipino missions in the UAE, Indian passport holders can enter the Philippines without a visa for tourism purposes for up to 14 days, provided they meet the following requirements: a passport valid for at least six months beyond the intended stay, confirmed hotel accommodation or booking, proof of financial capacity and a return or onward ticket to another country. The 14-day stay is non-extendible and non-convertible, meaning tourists must exit the country before the end of the two-week period. However, Indian nationals holding valid and current visas or residence permits from the United States, Japan, Australia, Canada, Schengen states, Singapore or the United Kingdom (collectively known as AJACSSUK countries) are eligible for a visa-free stay of up to 30 days. This 30-day stay is also non-extendible, and travellers must present a valid passport and a return or onward ticket. Both categories require that the individual have no derogatory immigration record with the Philippine Bureau of Immigration (BI). The advisory clarifies that the visa-free entry privileges apply only to short-term tourism. 'Indian nationals transiting in the Philippines or entering the country for long-term visits and non-tourism activities are required to apply for an appropriate Philippine visa at a Philippine Embassy or Consulate in their country of origin, place of legal residence, or any country that requires entry visas for Indian nationals,' the advisory pointed out. The relaxed immigration policy is expected to benefit several Indian expats in the UAE.
Daily Tribune
4 days ago
- Daily Tribune
Modi opens Kashmir rail link
Prime Minister Narendra Modi made his first visit to Kashmir yesterday since a conflict with arch-rival Pakistan, opening a strategic railway line to the region he called 'the crown jewel of India'. Modi launched a string of projects worth billions of dollars for the northern territory. Nuclear-armed India and Pakistan fought a four-day conflict last month, their worst standoff since 1999, before a ceasefire was agreed on May 10. 'Pakistan will never forget... its shameful loss,' the premier told crowds a month since India launched strikes on its neighbour after an attack on tourists in Kashmir. 'Friends, today's event is a grand festival of India's unity and firm resolve,' Modi said after striding across the soaring bridge to formally launch it for rail traffic. 'This is a symbol and celebration of rising India,' he said of the Chenab Bridge which connects two mountains. The Chenab span is the 'world's highest railway arch bridge', sitting 359 metres (1,117 feet) above a river. While several road and pipeline bridges are higher, Guinness World Records confirmed that Chenab trumps the previous highest railway bridge, the Najiehe in China. Modi called it 'an extraordinary feat of architecture' that 'will improve connectivity' by providing the first rail link from the Indian plains up to mountainous Kashmir. With 36 tunnels and 943 bridges, the new railway runs for 272 kilometres (169 miles) and connects Udhampur, Srinagar and Baramulla. It is expected to halve the travel time between the town of Katra in the Hindu-majority Jammu region and Srinagar, the main city in Kashmir, to around three hours. The new route will facilitate the movement of people and goods, as well as troops, that was previously possible only via treacherous mountain roads and by air.
