Over 2,400 flights hit since January amid curbs, airspace closures

Indian airlines have cancelled or rescheduled more than 2,400 flights in 2025 due to regulatory constraints and geopolitical disturbances, according to data tabled in Parliament.

Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol said from January to June, Air India reported 662 affected flights, IndiGo 1,017, Akasa Air 18, SpiceJet 334 and Air India Express 427. The disruptions were triggered not only by domestic regulatory issues, but also by foreign government restrictions linked to escalating international tensions.

The year’s airspace troubles were witnessed on April 24 when Pakistan shut its skies to Indian aircraft, cutting off a key transit corridor for flights bound north and west. The move particularly hit Air India’s long-haul operations to North America, forcing costly reroutes and additional fuel stops. The ban remains in place, continuing to squeeze airline schedules and profitability.

During Operation Sindoor, several airports — including Chandigarh, Srinagar, Amritsar, Ludhiana, Bhuntar, Kishangarh, Patiala, Shimla, Dharamsala and Bathinda — were temporarily closed. Additional airports at strategic locations such as Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Leh, Bikaner, Pathankot, Jammu, Jamnagar and Bhuj were also shut for a short span of time.

In June, Air India, IndiGo and other airlines faced another operational jolt when they were forced to divert or recall international flights following Iran’s sudden airspace closure. The shutdown came after Israel launched “Operation Rising Lion” targeting key nuclear and military sites in Iran, prompting Tehran to close its skies over security fears. Iraq and Israel also shut their airspace in the fallout, further constricting available flight corridors.

Such operational snags carry heavy financial consequences for carriers, including extra fuel burn, crew overtime, maintenance, airport charges and rebooking costs. Airlines are also bound to refund or compensate passengers under existing DGCA regulations.

Despite the turbulence, domestic airlines carried 7.34 per cent more passengers in the first half of 2025 compared to the same period last year, underscoring resilient demand. The DGCA has reiterated that carriers must comply with its Civil Aviation Requirement guidelines, which mandate facilities for passengers affected by denied boarding, cancellations or long delays.