South Asian Skies Jittery: India-Pakistan Conflict Forces Flight Rerouting and Delays

International air travel across South Asia is facing significant disruptions in the wake of escalating tensions and military actions between India and Pakistan. Following India's missile strikes and Pakistan's retaliatory measures, several airlines are being forced to reroute or cancel flights, causing concerns and delays for passengers across the region, including Bangladesh, Daily Dazzling Dawn understand.

Impact on Bangladesh:Bangladesh has already felt the ripple effects of the conflict. Today, at least three international flights destined for Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA) in Dhaka were diverted due to security concerns over the regional airspace. These flights, belonging to Turkish Airlines, Jazeera Airways, and Kuwait Airways, had to alter their routes to avoid potentially volatile airspace. One flight from Turkey was diverted to Muscat International Airport in Oman, while a Jazeera Airways flight was redirected to Dubai, and another returned to Kuwait. While these diverted flights have since started arriving in Dhaka as operations gradually normalize, the incident highlights the immediate impact of the conflict on air travel to and from Bangladesh.

Wider South Asian Disruptions:The impact extends beyond Bangladesh, affecting numerous international airlines operating in South Asian airspace:

Airspace Avoidance: Many airlines, including Korean Air, Singapore Airlines, Thai Airways, Malaysia Airlines, and Lufthansa, are actively avoiding Pakistani airspace. This is leading to longer flight paths, primarily over countries like Oman, UAE, Kuwait, Myanmar, and Bangladesh itself for some routes.

Flight Cancellations: Several airlines have reported cancellations of flights to specific cities in India and Pakistan. IndiGo, a major Indian carrier, has cancelled a significant number of flights. Malaysia Airlines temporarily suspended flights to Amritsar in India.

Increased Flight Times: Passengers travelling on rerouted flights are experiencing longer journey durations. For instance, flights from Europe to South Asia are taking considerably longer routes.

Potential Congestion: Air traffic monitoring websites have indicated increased air traffic over alternative routes, raising concerns about potential airspace congestion in areas like Oman, UAE, and Kuwait.

Airport Closures: In the immediate aftermath of the strikes, India had temporarily shut down several airports in its northern region, further contributing to flight disruptions. While Pakistan initially closed its airspace, it has since stated that its airspace is open and airports are functional.

Passenger Concerns and Airline Responses:The unfolding situation has understandably caused anxiety and inconvenience for international passengers. Travellers are advised to:

Stay Updated: Regularly check with their respective airlines for the latest information on their flight status. Schedules are subject to change with little notice.

Expect Delays: Be prepared for potential delays and longer travel times due to rerouting and airspace congestion.

Contact Airlines: Reach out to airline customer service for specific queries about their flights.

Airlines are actively monitoring the situation and adjusting their operations to ensure the safety of their passengers and crew. The priority is to avoid any potentially dangerous airspace while trying to minimize disruptions as much as possible.

India-Pakistan conflict disrupts international flights across South Asia, including diversions in Bangladesh, as airlines reroute to avoid volatile airspace, causing delays and cancellations.