The government is actively weighing the option of shutting Indian airspace to Pakistani airlines as New Delhi implements retaliatory actions against Islamabad in the wake of the Pahalgam terrorist attack carried out by militants based in Pakistan, according to sources.
This action would necessitate that Pakistani airlines reroute their flights over nations such as China or Sri Lanka to reach Southeast Asian destinations like Kuala Lumpur, based on information from officials familiar with the situation.
Pakistani airlines have already started to steer clear of Indian airspace due to concerns of possible retaliatory measures following the tragic Pahalgam terrorist attack on April 22, during which militants opened fire on civilians, resulting in 26 fatalities.
Officials have indicated that a ban on Pakistani vessels at Indian ports is also being contemplated.
Last week, Pakistan restricted its airspace to Indian airlines as tensions increased between the two countries after India reiterated its claims that Pakistan harbors and supports cross-border terrorists, coupled with the announcement of various retaliatory actions.
India has halted the Indus Waters Treaty, linking its resumption to Pakistan ceasing its support for cross-border terrorism. The Integrated Check Post at the Attari-Wagah border has been closed, and authorities have set a deadline for individuals who entered India with valid documentation. All visas granted to Pakistani nationals have been annulled, and travel under the Saarc arrangement is no longer allowed for Pakistani citizens.
Furthermore, India has withdrawn its Defence, Navy, and Air Force advisors from its High Commission in Islamabad and has declared Pakistan’s military attaches in New Delhi as persona non grata. Bilateral trade between the two nations has been suspended, impacting various sectors.
However, Islamabad has denied any connection to the attacks and dismissed India’s suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty. It cautioned that any effort to stop or redirect water allocated to Pakistan would be viewed as an “act of war,” which it would meet with a robust response across the entire spectrum of national capabilities. In retaliation, Pakistan has also annulled visas issued to Indian citizens and has halted bilateral trade.
Travel Advisories Urge Citizens to Steer Clear of India-Pakistan Border
The U.S., UK, and Canada have issued travel advisories following the Pahalgam terrorist attack last week. They have urged their citizens to refrain from traveling to the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir as well as regions bordering Pakistan.
In their advisories, these nations also highlighted the closure of the Attari-Wagah border, which connects the two nations. The warnings could have a significant effect on inbound tourism to Jammu & Kashmir, and to India overall, as they have also advised travelers to exercise heightened caution when visiting.
The UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has also issued alerts regarding possible safety concerns in Gujarat and Rajasthan due to the states’ proximity to the border with Pakistan.
While Australia had previously been advising its citizens to maintain a high level of caution when visiting India, the country updated its travel advisory on April 25 to reflect the closure of the India-Pakistan border. “If you are planning to travel to India from Pakistan via any land borders, consider alternative arrangements and heed the guidance of local authorities.” It further cautioned its citizens about the “threat of terrorism and crime, as well as the risk of civil unrest” throughout India.
Airlines are obligated to promptly provide information on any changes to the expected total travel time and potential layovers at check-in, boarding gates, and whenever feasible, through SMS and email notifications. According to these regulations, carriers must keep the call center and reservation teams informed about possible delays and schedule changes.
International and regional flights, particularly those originating from Delhi and other northern cities, have been significantly rerouted, as reported by the aviation regulator.
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