Air France, Lufthansa suspend operations in Pakistani airspace amid India-Pakistan tensions

Air France and Lufthansa were among the international carriers that have suspended operations via the Pakistani airspace amid India-Pakistan tensions in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack.

According to a report by news agency Reuters citing flight tracking data, international airlines were seen avoiding the Pakistani airspace as Islamabad's tensions with New Delhi continue to escalate after the deadly terrorist attack in the Kashmir valley that took 26 lives.

Air France in a statement said that “due to recent tensions between India and Pakistan, the airline has decided to suspend overflight of Pakistan until further notice.”

Meanwhile, Lufthansa in a statement to Reuters said that its aircraft are “avoiding Pakistani airspace until further notice”.

The steps are being taken even though it means that avoiding the Pakistani airspace will result in longer flight times on some routes to Asia, Lufthansa said, and added that it is monitoring developments.

Flight tracking data showed some flights of British Airways, Swiss International Air Lines and Emirates turning north towards Delhi in order to avoid Pakistani airspace, after travelling over the Arabian Sea.

However, these airlines did not officially release a statement.

International carriers choose longer routes over Pakistani airspace

Air France said it was altering its flight schedule and flight plans with destinations such as Delhi, Bangkok and Ho Chi Minh, entailing longer flight times.

Lufthansa Flight LH760 from Frankfurt to New Delhi had to fly nearly an hour longer on Sunday because it took a longer route, data from flight tracking website Flightradar24 showed.

Besides the longer distances and higher fuel costs for airlines, the new flight routes are set to cut Pakistan's earnings from overflight fees. As per Reuters, these fees can run into hundreds of dollars per flight, depending on aircraft weight and distance covered.

India Pakistan tensions

Tensions between India and Pakistan have escalated ever since the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, in which New Delhi has flagged “cross-border linkages”.

Since that day, India has taken several steps against Pakistan, including suspending the Indus Water Treaty. It has also banned all forms of import from the neighbouring country, cancelled visas of most Pakistani nationals, barred its ships from entering Indian ports and more.

In addition, India has also closed its airspace for Pakistani airlines. It must also be mentioned that Pakistan has also closed its airspace for Indian airlines.