flights of Thai Airways and other Asian airlines are being rerouted or cancelled amid the escalating India-Pakistan conflict.
The ongoing skirmish between India and Pakistan is causing a headache for airlines worldwide, with several major carriers re-routing or canceling flights due to the escalating conflict.
Thai Airways International (THAI) announced on Wednesday it would alter flight paths to Europe and South Asia after the closure of Pakistani airspace due to the ongoing hostility in South Asia. The airline warned passengers of potential delays.
Asian airlines faced similar predicaments on Wednesday, acknowledging re-routing or halting flights to and from Europe due to the ongoing warfare between India and Pakistan.
Tensions between the nuclear-armed adversaries escalated on Wednesday, with India launching aerial assaults on Pakistan and Pakistani Kashmir. Pakistan retaliated by announcing it had shot down five Indian fighter jets, marking the worst fights between the two nations since the Kargil War in 1999.
Taiwan's EVA Air will adjust its flights from Europe to avoid airspace impacted by the conflict between India and Pakistan as a matter of safety. One flight from Vienna will be redirected back to the city, while a flight from Taipei to Milan will stopover in Vienna for refueling before continuing to its destination.
Korean Air started re-routing its Seoul Incheon-Dubai flights on Wednesday, opting for a southerly route that passes over Myanmar, Bangladesh, and India instead of the previous path through Pakistani airspace.
Vietnam Airlines acknowledged that the tensions between India and Pakistan had affected their flight plans, but would provide details on re-routing schedules later.
Taiwan's China Airlines activated its contingency plan and took several measures to ensure passenger and crew safety, without providing further details. The cancellation of Wednesday's China Airlines non-stop flight to London from Taiwan's main international airport at Taoyuan was evident.
Before Russia's invasion of Ukraine, many Europe-bound flights from Taiwan overflew Russia. However, Taiwanese airlines are now prohibited from doing so following Taipei joining Western sanctions on Moscow. As a result, they generally fly over India, Pakistan, and Central Asia instead.
The ongoing hostility between India and Pakistan has triggered a wave of rerouting and flight cancellations by airlines seeking to avoid Pakistani airspace. In addition, airspace restrictions, delays, and operational challenges have affected air travel between Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.
[1] Associated Press, (2022). Indian troops to cross into Pakistan, defense official says. aljazeera.com/news
[2] Business Standard, (2022). Malay Airlines suspends Istanbul–Islamabad flight. economynext.com/malaysia-airlines-suspends-istanbul-islamabad-flight-80798/
[3] Reuters, (2022). India and Pakistan airspace closures disrupts flights across Asia, Europe. reuters.com/world/asia/disrupted-flights-across-asia-europe-threaten-viability-some-routes-2022-02-25/
[4] NDTV, (2022). Flights diverted due to ongoing India-Pak tensions, flights to some destinations cancelled. ndtv.com/india-news/flights-diverted-due-to-ongoing-india-pak-tensions-flights-to-some-destinations-cancelled-2621740
- In light of the airspace closures triggered by the escalating conflict between India and Pakistan, Taiwan's China Airlines has activated its contingency plan and implemented safety measures to protect passengers and crew.
- The nuclear-armed adversaries' ongoing hostility has forced airlines to reassess their travel routes, with Taiwan's EVA Air announcing adjustments to flights from Europe to avoid conflict zones.
- As the nuclear standoff between India and Pakistan continues, lifestyle and travel plans for countless individuals are being affected, with widespread re-routing and cancellation of flights across Asia, Europe, and the Middle East.
