In a dramatic shift reflecting growing geopolitical unease, several of the world’s premier airlines are now choosing to sidestep Pakistani airspace — not by compulsion, but by choice. While Indian carriers are officially barred from flying over Pakistan, numerous European giants such as Lufthansa, British Airways, Swiss, Air France, ITA Airways, and Poland’s LOT have begun voluntarily rerouting their flights to avoid the tense skies over the region.

This self-imposed detour is a costly one. Flights between Europe and India are now averaging an hour longer, burning more fuel and potentially hiking ticket prices for passengers. Though no specific timeline has been given, experts warn that the added costs may soon trickle down to consumers. Already, Air India faces a projected annual loss of $600 million due to the ban.

For Pakistan, the fallout is equally severe. Its Civil Aviation Authority, which earns significant revenue through overflight fees, is now staring at monthly losses running into millions. Should this trend continue, Pakistan stands to forfeit hundreds of millions in overflight income annually. A historical precedent is not far off — after the 2019 Balakot airstrike by India, Pakistan’s closure of its skies led to a $100 million loss over just five months.

Indian carriers, meanwhile, are absorbing a monthly burden of $70-80 million due to extended flight paths. Airlines like Air India, IndiGo, and SpiceJet have formally submitted their assessments of the financial impact to India’s civil aviation ministry.

The current standoff, sparked by India’s response to the Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 lives, has escalated into a full-blown aviation and economic strain — with Pakistan now reaping no gain, and global airlines paying the price in miles and money.