Key Takeaways
• Thai Airways rerouted flights from May 7, 2025, due to India–Pakistan conflict and closed Pakistani airspace.
• Other Asian airlines, like Korean Air and China Airlines, are canceling or diverting flights to avoid conflict zones.
• Travelers face longer routes, potential delays, and increased costs as airlines prioritize safety over South Asia.
Thai Airways has started rerouting its flights to avoid dangerous airspace after heavy fighting broke out between India 🇮🇳 and Pakistan 🇵🇰. This important decision began at 5:00 am on Wednesday, May 7, 2025 (which was 10:00 pm GMT the night before). The airline responded quickly because the two countries, both of which have nuclear weapons, began shooting artillery across their shared border after India 🇮🇳 fired missiles in response to an attack that killed 26 people last month.
Passengers flying with Thai Airways to cities in Europe and South Asia are being told to expect possible delays. The planes must now take longer routes because the airspace above Pakistan 🇵🇰 is closed for civilian flights. These longer flights are meant to keep everyone safe, but they can lead to extra waiting times and changes to flight schedules.
Other airlines from Asia have made similar changes. This shows how a conflict between two countries can affect travel for people all over the world.
Airlines Make Quick Changes
Thai Airways is not the only airline changing its flight plans. As the fighting grew worse, many airlines took action to keep their passengers out of danger. For example:
– Korean Air, which flies from Seoul Incheon to Dubai, now uses a different route. Instead of flying over Pakistan 🇵🇰, the airline sends its planes south, flying over Myanmar 🇲🇲, Bangladesh 🇧🇩, and India 🇮🇳. This detour is longer but safer under the current situation.
- Taiwan’s China Airlines had to cancel and change several flights. Two flights that were going to Frankfurt and Amsterdam were changed in mid-air. These planes landed in Bangkok and flew back to Taiwan 🇹🇼. Three more flights, which were headed to Prague, Rome, and London, were canceled on Tuesday and Wednesday as the situation became more unpredictable.
- EVA Air, also from Taiwan 🇹🇼, is watching the situation closely. The airline has started changing some flights to Europe based on how dangerous the airspace becomes, and has rerouted or returned planes as needed.
- Vietnam Airlines is another carrier feeling the impact. The company said it will soon share more details about new flight paths because of the situation in South Asia.
Airlines across the region stress that these changes are necessary to keep passengers and crew safe. However, they warn that the longer routes and last-minute changes could cause delays and confusion for travelers.
Why the Conflict Matters
To understand why this is happening, it’s necessary to look at the background of the conflict. Recently, a deadly attack happened in Kashmir, a region controlled by India 🇮🇳. The attack killed 26 people, which caused anger and tension in the area. In response, Indian forces launched missile attacks across the border into Pakistan 🇵🇰. India 🇮🇳 claimed that it was aiming at nine locations where it believed terrorist groups were operating in Pakistan 🇵🇰.
After these attacks, Pakistan 🇵🇰 responded. Officials in Pakistan 🇵🇰 said their air force shot down five Indian fighter jets. However, India 🇮🇳 has not confirmed this report. The exchange has made things much worse along the border, a place known for being tense. In the past, smaller skirmishes have happened, but this time the fighting and the use of air power are much more serious.
As a result, large sections of the sky over northwest India 🇮🇳 and Pakistan 🇵🇰 have been closed to all regular airplanes. Websites that track flights, like Flightradar24, show empty skies in these areas and busy paths circling to the south. This is a clear sign of how the fighting on the ground quickly spreads to problems in the air.
The Wider Ripple Effect
This conflict does not just affect soldiers or officials. Travelers and the airline industry also feel the shockwaves. The area where the fighting is happening sits on some of the world’s busiest air routes, especially for flights going between Asia and Europe.
Every day, dozens of flights cross over India 🇮🇳 and Pakistan 🇵🇰 on their way to Europe, the Middle East, or back to Asia. When the airspace closes, airlines must find new routes, making flights much longer and more expensive. This can have several effects:
- Travelers heading to business meetings, holidays, or family events face uncertain schedules and possible missed connections.
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Longer routes mean planes use more fuel and crews work longer hours, making flights more expensive for the airlines.
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Pilots and center controllers must pay extra attention, and new measures must be put in place to keep passengers safe, adding stress and risk for everyone involved.
The Association of Asia Pacific Airlines released a warning, focusing on the problems that come with such crises. The group said, “apart from cost and operational disruption, there are safety concerns as GPS spoofing interfering with flight operations over conflict zones is one of the highest risks the industry faces.” GPS spoofing is when fake signals try to trick airplanes’ navigation systems, making flying over dangerous areas even more risky.
Concerns for Immigrants and Travelers
Travel disruptions like these hit immigrants and international travelers hard. People who work, study, or have families in other countries rely on safe and steady flight connections. South Asia, Europe, and Southeast Asia are home to millions of people who live in different countries than where they were born. When flights are cancelled, rerouted, or delayed:
- Some immigrants might not be able to return home when promised, causing emotional strain and financial trouble.
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Students far from home may miss important school dates or exams.
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People trying to reunite with family could see their plans pushed back with little or no notice.
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Workers who travel for their jobs could lose important work days, possibly costing them money or their reputation.
Even those who simply want to visit for tourism must change their plans, sometimes at the last minute and with extra expense.
Broader Industry Challenges
This sudden and large shift in air traffic makes it clear how easily world events can shake up global travel. The Middle East and South Asia Conflict already put pressure on airline operations in these parts of the world. When new conflict breaks out, airlines must act quickly, with little warning.
Airlines usually prepare for these situations by drawing up emergency plans, but every conflict is different. When vital airspace closes, some flights must travel hundreds or even thousands of extra miles to reach their destinations. This adds to fuel costs, increases the time needed for airport staff, and can mean trouble for travelers needing connecting flights.
Planes may have to carry more fuel or land to refuel, and there is little room for mistakes. For many airlines, this also brings new paperwork or special permissions from other countries. They might have to get new clearances, file new routes, and keep up with hourly updates from authorities.
As reported by VisaVerge.com, these extra demands slow down the entire aviation system and can lead to more delays and confusion, especially when problems keep popping up with little warning.
India, Pakistan, and South Asia: A Boom in Air Travel
Over the past decade, India 🇮🇳, Pakistan 🇵🇰, and other countries in South Asia have seen a sharp rise in air travel. As more people move between countries for work, study, and tourism, airlines from all over the world have opened new routes across the region. Thai Airways, with its flights between Bangkok and Europe, has become a popular choice because it connects Southeast Asia and South Asia to Europe without long layovers.
When a crisis like this happens, the effects ripple through the wider industry. Because India 🇮🇳 and Pakistan 🇵🇰 are on the main route linking Asia with the West, a shutdown in their airspace forces many flights to take new, longer paths. Even airlines flying from countries like South Korea 🇰🇷 or Vietnam 🇻🇳 must change their plans.
With so many people traveling back and forth for business, study, or family, even a short closure can turn into a major disruption.
Safety Comes First
Despite the costs and inconvenience, airlines like Thai Airways make these changes to keep people safe. Closing airspace over a conflict zone is not just about following rules—it saves lives. Flying through dangerous areas could put planes at risk from stray missiles, anti-aircraft weapons, or even mistakes by military forces.
By acting fast, carriers protect both passengers and staff. These actions are guided by advice from governments and aviation authorities, who monitor the fighting and can restrict airspace when necessary.
If you are scheduled to fly through these areas, you should:
- Check with your airline for the latest travel alerts.
- Expect delays, especially for flights heading to or coming from Europe and South Asia.
- Be prepared for possible stops along the new routes, including unplanned landings for fuel or crew changes.
- Allow extra time for connections or follow-up travel plans.
For the latest updates on affected airspace and travel advisories, travelers can visit the International Civil Aviation Organization.
The Road Ahead: What Next?
The situation between India 🇮🇳 and Pakistan 🇵🇰 remains tense, with both countries claiming different stories about what happened during recent clashes. Diplomatic efforts are ongoing, but for now, airlines must continue to work around the dangerous airspace.
Travelers should:
- Stay in close contact with airlines and travel agents for up-to-date information.
- Follow news from trusted sources to understand how the situation develops.
- Prepare for ongoing disruptions until the two countries find a way to cool tensions and reopen their skies.
For airline workers, this is a time of stress but also of great teamwork. Pilots, air traffic controllers, and crews must always be alert, working together to keep everyone safe.
Final Thoughts
The recent South Asia Conflict between India 🇮🇳 and Pakistan 🇵🇰, and the quick response by airlines like Thai Airways, show how world events can quickly upend travel plans for millions. This latest crisis forces everyone—airlines, passengers, officials—to adjust with little warning. More importantly, it is a reminder of why safety must come first in aviation, even if it means extra time, cost, or worry for passengers.
As the situation continues, travelers must stay informed and flexible, while the airline industry learns new lessons about handling trouble in a connected world. For anyone with plans to fly between Asia and Europe, or within South Asia, this is a time for patience and preparation as countries, airlines, and travelers all wait for safer skies.
Learn Today
Airspace Closure → A temporary ban on civil aircraft flying over certain regions, usually for safety during conflicts or emergencies.
Rerouting → Changing an aircraft’s planned flight path, often necessary to avoid restricted or dangerous areas in conflict zones.
GPS Spoofing → A cyberattack sending false GPS signals to disrupt or mislead an airplane’s navigation systems, risking flight safety.
Reunification → Bringing family members together across borders, which can be disrupted when flights are canceled or delayed due to conflict.
Operational Disruption → Interruptions or changes to regular airline schedules and procedures, often causing delays and increased costs.
This Article in a Nutshell
After heavy fighting erupted between India and Pakistan, Thai Airways began rerouting its Europe and South Asia flights from May 7, 2025. With airspace over Pakistan closed, other Asian airlines also diverted routes. The priority is safety, but travelers face delays, schedule disruptions, and uncertainties until tensions ease.
— By VisaVerge.com
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