Pak airspace closure: Centre asks airlines to bolster passenger facilities

The Union government has instructed airlines to bolster passengers’ “amenities as well as handling protocols” with immediate effect to shield flyers from the fallout of Pakistan’s airspace closures.

As an air corridor, Pakistan’s airspace is vital for Indian airlines, especially for westbound flights from northern cities like Delhi to Europe, the Middle East, Central Asia, and even the US.

The development has forced airlines to reroute flights, thereby extending travel times and necessitating technical stopovers.

businessline was the first to report that airlines are working on strategies like clubbing and rerouting flights and making halts at technical stops to cut their losses.

DGCA directive

According to the Director General of Civil Aviation’s (DGCA) directive, airlines have been instructed to communicate transparently with passengers about altered flight paths, potential delays, and unplanned halts.

“This communication should occur at check-in, boarding, and via digital alerts,” the directive said.

Besides, the regulator has called for enhanced in-flight services.

“Airlines are required to revise catering based on the actual block time, ensuring adequate food, hydration, and special meal availability throughout the flight, including any technical stopovers,” the DGCA directive said.

The domestic carriers have been instructed to ensure onboard medical supplies are “sufficient and verify the availability of emergency services” at all potential technical halt airports.

Furthermore, airlines have been told to keep preparing call centers and customer service teams to handle delays and missed connections and “provide assistance or compensation as required by applicable regulations.”

The directive calls for seamless coordination between flight ops, ground handling, in-flight service teams, and medical partners to minimise disruption.

Sources had earlier told businessline, that flights from North India to the US and Europe will be diverted over Mumbai and then northwards over the Arabian Sea through the United Arab Emirates (UAE) airspace.

Additionally, sources said that Air India is expected to create technical stops for refuelling at Vienna and Copenhagen.

In addition, sources indicated that IndiGo’s multi-hub policy, as well as more direct connections from various points across the country to the Gulf states, will insulate it from any major impact.

Published on April 26, 2025