Pahalgam Terror Attack Effect: Additional Burden on Hyderabad Passengers
Following the Pahalgam terror attack, escalating tensions between India and Pakistan have begun to impose a direct burden on international air passengers traveling from Hyderabad to destinations such as Dubai, the United States, and the United Kingdom. With Pakistan closing its airspace, both travel times and ticket prices have significantly increased.
In the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack, Pakistan enforced a ban on the passage of Indian aircraft through its airspace beginning at 6:00 PM on April 24. In response, the Indian government imposed a reciprocal ban prohibiting Pakistani aircraft from using Indian airspace, effective from midnight on Wednesday until May 23.
As a result of these mutual restrictions, international flight services from Hyderabad to Western countries have been directly affected. Airlines such as IndiGo, Air India, and Air Express were compelled to revise their flight schedules to destinations including Dubai, North America, and London starting Thursday. With Pakistan’s airspace no longer accessible, these flights are being rerouted through longer, alternative paths. Consequently, passengers are experiencing delays ranging from one and a half to two and a half hours. This extended travel time, coupled with increased fuel consumption, is contributing to a rise in ticket prices.
Representatives from the aviation industry stated that Emirates, IndiGo, and Air India operate daily direct flights from Hyderabad to Dubai, a route typically marked by consistently high passenger volumes and an average seat occupancy rate of 90 percent. These flights too are currently being operated via alternate routes.
As long as the airspace restrictions between India and Pakistan continue, passengers traveling from Hyderabad—particularly those heading to Western countries—will inevitably have to endure longer travel durations and some additional financial burden. Airlines are continuing to operate flights with modified arrangements aimed at minimizing passenger inconvenience.