Air India Reroutes Flights to US and Canada Through Mongolian Airspace Amid Pakistan’s Ongoing Airspace Closure: New updates you need to know

In response to the ongoing closure of Pakistan’s airspace, Air India (AI) has introduced new flight routes for its North America-bound flights, rerouting them through Mongolian airspace. This change comes as the airline adjusts its operations to mitigate the challenges posed by Pakistan’s airspace restrictions, which have been in place since April 2025. The closure has forced Air India to find alternative routes for flights heading to the United States and Canada, particularly from its hub at Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) in Delhi.

The rerouting has led to longer flight durations, an increase in fuel consumption, and added pressure on the airline’s aircraft availability and crew duty cycles. These logistical hurdles come as Air India strives to maintain efficiency and minimize additional operational costs during these challenging times.

The Impact of Pakistan’s Airspace Closure

The closure of Pakistan’s airspace came as a direct consequence of geopolitical tensions between India and Pakistan, following the tragic Pahalgam terror attack in April 2025. In retaliation, India closed its airspace to Pakistani airlines, further complicating aviation routes in the region. As a result, Air India had no choice but to adopt new flight paths that would bypass Pakistan’s airspace to maintain its flight schedules to North America.

As Air India faces these changes, it is now routing select flights to San Francisco (SFO) and Vancouver (YVR), with some services requiring a technical stop in Kolkata (CCU) for fuel stops and crew changes. This adjustment is essential for the airline to keep its operations running smoothly while minimizing disruptions for its passengers.

Adjusting Operations: The Use of Mongolian Airspace

Air India’s decision to route its long-haul flights through Mongolian airspace marks a significant shift in its operational strategy. Flightradar24 data has confirmed that flights such as AI174 (Delhi to San Francisco) and AI186 (Delhi to Vancouver) are now utilizing Mongolian airspace as part of their flight paths. The airline’s decision to adopt this route aims to reduce the impact of additional detours that would otherwise require costly layovers in European airports.

While the new routing adds time to the flights, it allows Air India to avoid high landing fees and fuel costs typically incurred in European airports. The decision also provides greater operational flexibility, enabling the airline to maintain timely service without increasing operational overheads. A technical stop in Kolkata allows the airline to address fuel needs and crew management under India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) regulations.

Regulatory Compliance and Operational Efficiency

The airline must also ensure compliance with DGCA regulations concerning Flying Duty Time Limitations (FDTL), which restrict the amount of time flight crews can spend in the air on long-haul flights. For ultra-long-haul flights such as Delhi-San Francisco, Air India must deploy two sets of crews to avoid exceeding the maximum allowed operating hours. By adding technical halts in India, such as in Kolkata (CCU), the airline ensures that it can extend crew duty times and continue adhering to FDTL regulations without breaching safety norms.

This operational shift highlights Air India’s commitment to maintaining a safe and efficient service despite the unforeseen challenges caused by the airspace closure. While these changes might lead to slightly longer flight times, they ensure that passengers experience fewer disruptions and the airline can continue meeting customer expectations.

Economic and Logistical Challenges

In addition to the impact on flight durations and crew cycles, the rerouting through Mongolian airspace places additional strain on Air India’s financials. Fuel consumption increases with the longer routes, and the technical stops add costs related to crew management, including potential hotel stays for layovers. The airline also faces challenges regarding the availability of aircraft, as the longer travel times mean that planes are in the air for extended periods, reducing their operational efficiency.

Furthermore, the increased fuel costs could impact ticket prices for affected routes. The airline may need to assess its pricing strategy to absorb the additional costs or pass them onto passengers. However, Air India is already focused on minimizing disruption and providing a seamless travel experience for its North American passengers.

Reassessing Flight Options and Future Plans

Despite the difficulties presented by the current geopolitical situation, Air India is focused on adapting its long-haul operations to continue connecting passengers between India and North America. As part of its strategy, the airline is exploring alternative airports and routes that can optimize fuel efficiency and reduce operational overheads.

Air India’s CEO, Campbell Wilson, has emphasized the airline’s ability to pivot and identify practical solutions, including reassessing flight schedules and introducing technical stops to Indian cities like Kolkata as possible domestic layover points. By minimizing international layovers and reducing related costs, Air India hopes to keep its long-haul operations efficient and cost-effective.

The Role of Geopolitical Tensions in Aviation

The closure of Pakistan’s airspace is just one example of how geopolitical tensions can directly affect aviation operations. For airlines like Air India, these kinds of disruptions are not only logistical headaches but also economic challenges that affect the airline’s ability to maintain competitive pricing and on-time performance.

The situation also underscores the need for flexibility in international aviation networks. Airlines must be prepared to adapt quickly to changing geopolitical landscapes, which may include re-routing, introducing new hubs, or adjusting crew schedules to comply with regulatory constraints.

Looking Forward: Air India’s Global Vision

As Air India continues to adjust to the challenges presented by the airspace closure, it remains focused on its long-term vision of expanding its international reach. The airline is well-positioned to meet North American demand, with the Tata Group backing its growth and operational strategy.

Despite the ongoing challenges, Air India is determined to continue building on its successful North American network. The airline operates 71 weekly flights to North America, with 54 of those flights departing from Delhi (DEL), making it a key player in connecting India with major destinations like Chicago (ORD), New York (JFK), and Toronto (YYZ).

With the geopolitical situation evolving, Air India is committed to maintaining its global presence and ensuring that its passengers experience minimal disruptions.

Key Takeaways:

Air India has rerouted select North American flights through Mongolian airspace due to the ongoing closure of Pakistan’s airspace.
The new flight paths aim to minimize operational costs by avoiding high landing fees and fuel consumption in European airports.
The technical stops in Kolkata (CCU) help the airline comply with DGCA regulations and maintain crew duty time limits.
Despite the challenges, Air India is focused on global expansion, continuing to build its North American network and adapt to geopolitical disruptions.

By focusing on efficiency and operational flexibility, Air India is navigating a complex geopolitical situation while continuing to offer passengers reliable service on its long-haul routes.

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