India Reviews Cargo Impact from Pakistan Airspace Closure
The Indian government is currently assessing the impact of Pakistan’s recent decision to shut its airspace to Indian aircraft, especially in light of the ongoing diplomatic strain after the Pahalgam terror attack. While the move has raised concerns about possible delays in outbound shipments to the Gulf, Europe, and the US, early indications suggest the disruption will be limited.
Air Cargo Share in Exports Remains Low
Exporters have downplayed fears of a major logistical crisis, noting that a large majority of India’s outbound goods are shipped by sea. Only around 3–4% of India’s garment exports use air transport—either through passenger flights or dedicated freighters. In addition, certain high-value segments such as gems, jewellery, perishables, and select electronic items are typically flown out due to their sensitivity or urgency, but these too form a relatively small portion of the overall export volume.
Minor Delays Anticipated, Not Major Disruption
Industry representatives confirmed that while the airspace closure may lead to rerouting and slightly longer travel times, the scale of air cargo involved is not significant enough to cause major disruptions to supply chains or export schedules. As of now, there are no reports of delayed deliveries or shipment cancellations arising from the closure.
The government is expected to continue monitoring the situation closely while exploring alternate routes in coordination with international carriers to ensure minimal disruption to trade and logistics.
