Air Traffic Chaos: Airlines Alter Routes Amid India-Pakistan Tensions

Asian airlines have rerouted or canceled flights due to escalating tensions between India and Pakistan. Several airports were shut amid risks posed to commercial flights, causing delays and disruptions. GPS spoofing risks over conflict zones also raised concerns from the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines.

Airlines across Asia, including major carriers like China Airlines and Korean Air, announced flight cancellations and re-routings to Europe on Wednesday amid rising hostilities between India and Pakistan. The conflict led to the shutdown of numerous Indian airports as tensions escalated following a militant attack in Indian Kashmir last month.

Flight tracking websites displayed a significant number of flights rerouted over Oman, UAE, and Kuwait, sparking concerns about potential airspace congestion. Pakistan reported 57 international flights were within its airspace during India's military action, prompting its Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to declare the situation a serious threat to Gulf commercial airlines and human lives.

Both countries have now closed their airspace to one another, affecting domestic flights. India's aviation ministry has yet to comment, while airlines like Lufthansa and Singapore Airlines have opted to avoid Pakistani airspace entirely. The Association of Asia Pacific Airlines highlighted concerns about operational safety due to GPS spoofing over conflict zones.

(With inputs from agencies.)