With Pakistan extending its air space ban, Air India flights to Europe and the United States will have to continue taking a longer route while SpiceJet’s daily Delhi-Kabul flight will remain suspended till March 5. Jet Airways, the only other Indian carrier which operates to Europe, is also facing longer flying time on these flights.
Pakistan authorities have extended the air space ban till 8 am Universal Time Coordinated which will be about 1.30 pm Indian Standard Time till March 5. Pakistan was to open its airspace on Monday at about 1.30 pm. Pakistani airspace has been closed since February 27.
This is the third time that the lifting ban has been put off. Initially, the ban was to remain in place till February 28 which was extended till March 4. The Pakistan authorities have, however, made certain concessions including allowing flight operations to/from Karachi International, Peshawar International, Quetta International and Islamabad airports.
On Monday, an Air India spokesperson confirmed that its flights to and from Europe and the US were taking a longer route to their destinations. Similarly, a SpiceJet spokesperson confirmed that its daily flight connecting Delhi and Kabul stands cancelled.
As a result, Indian carriers from Delhi and Mumbai to and from Europe and America are adding about 90-120 minutes to their flying time. An Air India spokesperson had said flights to and from the US and Europe to Delhi were being re-routed through Ahmedabad and Mumbai.