09 May,2025 07:08 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
On a typical day, Mumbai ATC handles between 950 and 970 arrivals and departures, including unscheduled flights, in addition to some 2,000 flights transiting Mumbai’s skies. Representational pic
Mumbai's Air Traffic Control (ATC) has witnessed a surge in traffic after international flights were rerouted following the closure of Pakistani airspace since April 24, news agency PTI reported, quoting sources.
In addition to managing flights bound for Europe, North and South America originating from Mumbai, the ATC is now also witnessing flights from Northern India to these regions, the sources added.
Pakistan closed its airspace to Indian airlines in response to India's diplomatic actions following the terrorist attack in Pahalgam on April 22, which claimed the lives of at least 26 people. Six days after Pakistan closed its airspace, New Delhi also prohibited Pakistani airlines from flying above Indian skies.
On a typical day, Mumbai ATC handles between 950 and 970 arrivals and departures, including unscheduled flights, in addition to some 2,000 flights transiting Mumbai's skies, sources said, according to PTI.
"Approximately 130 flights from Northern India, bound for destinations in Europe, North and South America, would usually take the Bhopal-Ahmedabad-Karachi route to Muscat, bypassing Mumbai airspace, before entering Europe. Now, following the closure of Pakistani airspace, all these flights are routing through Mumbai airspace via Ahmedabad to reach Muscat," a source informed.
Furthermore, sources revealed that around 250 flights originating from South East Asia, headed for the Middle East, Europe, and North and South America, are now also being routed through Mumbai airspace to avoid Pakistani airspace, PTI reported.
India-Pakistan tensions: Several foreign airlines avoid Pak airspace
The increase in traffic has also been compounded by the recent closure of about 25 flight routes on Wednesday, which allowed aircraft to enter Pakistan through Indian airspace. This followed missile strikes by the Indian armed forces on terror targets in Pakistan, according to sources.
"Some foreign airlines are now submitting revised flight plans, flying via Mumbai airspace after the closure of these 25 routes," the source added, noting that even chartered flight operators flying internationally are avoiding Pakistani airspace due to the ongoing tensions.
In light of the escalating India-Pakistan tensions, many foreign airlines have been opting to avoid Pakistani airspace altogether.
Meanwhile, Indigo has informed that amid the escalating tensions between New Delhi and Islamabad, all its flights to and from Srinagar, Jammu, Amritsar, Leh, Chandigarh, Dharamshala, Bikaner, Jodhpur, Kishangarh, and Rajkot have been cancelled until Saturday midnight.
(With PTI inputs)
