India’s aviation sector has been hit hard after six countries shut their airspace due to rising tensions between Iran and Israel. The airspace closures followed a wave of Israeli airstrikes and Iran’s swift military response. In contrast, Pakistan saw limited disruptions, but Indian carriers suffered heavy delays and losses.
During the crisis, 30 Indian flights were diverted, while many others were canceled altogether. Iran was the first to close its skies, followed by Iraq, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, and Israel. Jordan issued a NOTAM on Friday morning, alerting all carriers of the shutdown. These sudden changes left airlines scrambling to find alternate routes.
Several India-bound international flights had to make emergency landings. Air India flights from New York and Washington were rerouted to Vienna and Frankfurt, while others like London–Bangalore were diverted to Sharjah. Flights from Canada and the US are now rerouting via Russia, Mongolia, China, Myanmar, and Bangladesh, adding 3 or more hours to travel times.
While India faced operational chaos, Pakistan also experienced minor disruptions. Flights such as Najaf to Karachi, Baku to Lahore, and Karachi to Jeddah were canceled. Delays hit flights from Kuwait, Dubai, Istanbul, and Muscat to multiple Pakistani cities, ranging from 1 to 6 hours.
Aviation experts warn that continued airspace closures could increase fuel costs, raise ticket prices, and burden airlines with longer flight times. If the regional crisis deepens, more routes and countries may be affected, further disturbing international air traffic.