New Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport experienced severe operational chaos today. Between 1pm and 1am, a total of 510 flights stopped due to the escalating tensions between India and Pakistan.
The airspace restrictions, implemented after Pakistan closed its skies, caused 250 incoming flights to experience 55 minute delays and 260 departures to slow down by 65 minutes, pushing the departure disruption index to its maximum level of 5.
The crisis began after the deadly Pahalgam attack that killed 26 Indian tourists in Kashmir, with domestic routes bearing the brunt of the disruptions. Aviation analysts warn that these delays could worsen if diplomatic tensions continue.
The tensions could also potentially affect international transit routes that traditionally use Pakistani airspace. Passengers reported chaotic scenes at major Indian airports, with airlines scrambling to adjust schedules.
The disruptions demonstrate how these conflicts increasingly impact civilian infrastructure, repeating the 2019 airspace shutdown that cost airlines millions of dollars daily. Authorities urge travellers to check real time flight updates as the situation remains unchanged.