April 27, 2025 (ANI): Following the deadly terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam, Pakistan announced airspace restrictions for all Indian airlines. Several airlines, including SpiceJet, Air India, and IndiGo, have issued travel advisories for their passengers. Directorate General of Civil Aviation on Saturday issued a set of advisory guidelines to airlines to ensure effective passenger handling. A copy of the guidelines accessed by ANI states, “Due to recent developments involving international airspace closures and overflight restrictions, airline operations have been impacted by the significant rerouting of international and regional flights.” “In light of the above, all airline operators are directed to implement the following passenger-handling measures to ensure transparency, compliance, and passenger welfare that include pre-flight passenger communication. Airlines shall ensure that all passengers are proactively informed about the change in routing due to airspace restrictions. Revised total expected travel time (departure to arrival). The possibility of a technical stop at an intermediate airport.” “Clarify that the stop is operational in nature. Passengers will generally remain onboard during such stops. This information must be communicated at check-in, boarding gates, and, where feasible, through SMS/email alerts,” it reads. Major airlines also issued advisory to the passengers. Air India shared an important update on X, citing “unforseen Pakistan airspace closure” for Indian airlines. "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 the Middle East will take an alternative extended route," Air India wrote on X. IndiGo also issued a travel advisory on X and said that, “due to the sudden announcement of airspace closure by Pakistan, a few of our international flights are being impacted.” SpiceJet also extended waivers on rescheduling and cancellations for travel to and from Srinagar until April 30. The condition applies to tickets booked before or on April 22. Tourists who are stranded in the Kashmir valley in the wake of the Pahalgam terrorist attack are made to shell out a hefty amount of money to fly back to their home towns, as flight tickets have exorbitantly risen, apparently because of heavy demand. Air fares to major Indian cities have skyrocketed since the news of the terrorist attack broke out on Tuesday evening.
