Srinagar, May 1 -- According to officials, the Indian airspace ban applies not only to aircraft registered in Pakistan but also to planes operated, owned, or leased by Pakistani carriers - including military aircraft.

The move comes days after Pakistan shut its airspace to all Indian-owned and Indian-operated airlines with immediate effect.

The decision has led to immediate and widespread disruptions in international travel, particularly for flyers from North India. With direct routes now off-limits, many flights are being rerouted through longer paths, increasing fuel costs and flight durations significantly.

Flights that would usually take 3 to 4 hours are now stretching to nearly 6, burning more fuel and time. Industry insiders esti...