Fact Check: Pakistan's airspace closure since April 2025 adds hours to Air India flights.

Fact Check: "Pakistan's airspace closure since April 2025 adds hours to Air India flights."

What We Know

The claim that "Pakistan's airspace closure since April 2025 adds hours to Air India flights" stems from the ongoing tensions between India and Pakistan, which have led to significant disruptions in air travel. Following military confrontations, Pakistan closed its airspace to Indian airlines on April 24, 2025, prompting Indian airlines to reroute flights. According to a Reuters analysis, the average duration of flights from northern Indian cities like New Delhi, Amritsar, and Lucknow to various international destinations has increased significantly, with some flights taking up to 2.8 hours longer due to the need to avoid Pakistani airspace. The analysis indicates that the increase in flight duration varies depending on the destination, with flights to the Americas experiencing the longest delays.

Additionally, the Indian Directorate General of Civil Aviation has allowed Indian airlines to extend pilot duty hours to accommodate these longer flights, which could lead to increased operational costs for airlines like Air India, estimated at around $600 million if the airspace closure persists for a year (source-1).

Analysis

The claim that Pakistan's airspace closure adds hours to Air India flights is substantiated by multiple sources. The Reuters report provides a detailed breakdown of the impact on flight durations, indicating that flights to destinations requiring passage over Pakistan have experienced significant delays. For instance, flights to the United States and Canada have seen increases of up to four hours, while flights to European destinations have added over an hour on average.

However, it is essential to note that not all Indian flights are equally affected. Some routes have only seen minor increases in flight times, and the overall impact varies based on the specific route taken. For example, flights to the Middle East have only been lengthened by an average of 18 minutes (source-1).

The reliability of the sources used in this analysis is high. The Reuters report is a reputable news organization known for its fact-based journalism, while other sources like CNBC and Skift corroborate the findings regarding the operational challenges faced by Indian airlines due to the airspace closure.

Conclusion

The claim that "Pakistan's airspace closure since April 2025 adds hours to Air India flights" is True, as supported by credible sources. The evidence indicates that the closure has indeed led to increased flight durations for many routes operated by Air India and other Indian airlines, with significant variations depending on the destination. While some flights may experience only minor delays, the overall trend shows a substantial impact on flight times due to the necessity of rerouting.

Fact Check: Pakistan's airspace closure since April 2025 adds hours to Air India flights.