- Pakistan closed its airspace to all Indian airlines as tensions grow between the two countries.
- Several Air India flights had to change directions and land elsewhere.
- Passengers from Toronto took 24 hours to reach New Delhi, some 10 hours later than expected.
Hundreds of passengers from across the world faced lengthy delays after Air India flights were forced to divert on Thursday.
Flights from San Francisco and Toronto landed in Denmark, while those traveling from Paris and London diverted to the Middle East.
All the planes involved were midway through their journeys when Pakistan closed its airspace to all Indian carriers.
Tensions have boiled over between the two countries since 26 people were shot dead in the Kashmir region on Tuesday. India has pointed the finger at Pakistan, but the latter has denied involvement in the attack.
The closure means many flights to India will now take longer, costing the country's airlines more for fuel and labor.
Even before the disruption, passengers on Air India Flight 180 were set for a lengthy redeye trip.
It took off from San Francisco around 9 p.m. local time Wednesday, bound for Mumbai. Data from Flightradar24 shows that 11 hours into the journey, the Boeing 777 turned around while over Russia.
It then flew four hours west to Copenhagen. Passengers had to wait a couple of hours before continuing to India, landing nine and a half hours later than scheduled.
Passengers from Toronto on Flight 190, which was headed to New Delhi, also U-turned over Russia and diverted to Copenhagen. They eventually landed in the Indian capital around 24 hours after leaving Canada, some 10 hours later than expected.
Flights 162 and 148, from London and Paris respectively, changed directions to fly over Iran and land in Abu Dhabi.
Passengers on both flights ultimately reached New Delhi four hours later than unexpected.
"Due to the announced restriction of Pakistan airspace for all Indian airlines, it is expected that some Air India flights to or from North America, UK, Europe, and Middle East will take an alternative extended route," Air India said in a statement on X.
It added that it "regrets the inconvenience caused to our passengers due to this unforeseen airspace closure that is outside our control."
The flag carrier flies the longest routes of India's airlines, but budget airlines IndiGo and SpiceJet also operate routes that have typically crossed over Pakistan.
