As tensions between India and Pakistan escalate following the deadly Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Saturday issued a fresh advisory to airlines, warning of extended international flight times and advising measures to ensure passenger comfort.

With Pakistan closing its airspace for Indian flights, journeys to destinations like the UK, North America, Europe, and the Middle East will now be longer. Flights departing from major northern airports such as Delhi, Jaipur, and others are expected to be most affected.

DGCA's Passenger Handling Guidelines
The aviation regulator directed airlines to clearly communicate changes in routes and revised travel times to passengers, right from check-in counters to boarding gates. Updates should also be sent through SMS and emails wherever possible.
Additionally, passengers must be informed about the possibility of technical stops during the journey, explaining that these are purely operational, and passengers would generally remain seated on the aircraft.

For in-flight services, airlines have been asked to adjust catering to match the longer flying time and ensure an adequate supply of food, beverages, and medical kits. They must also be ready with plans for emergency landings at alternate airports, if necessary.

Customer service teams have been told to gear up for handling delays, missed connections, and to ensure a smooth rebooking process if disruptions occur. Airlines are also expected to strengthen communication between departments to minimize operational hiccups.

Flight Disruptions Begin
Low-cost carrier IndiGo has already announced changes. It stated that nearly 50 of its international routes would experience longer durations and potential schedule reshuffles due to the restricted airspace.
Flights to Almaty have been canceled from April 27 to May 7, and services to Tashkent are suspended from April 28 to May 7.
"With the same restrictions and limited rerouting options, unfortunately, Almaty and Tashkent are outside the operational range of IndiGo's current fleet," the airline said.