New Routes, Same Heart: Thai Airways Navigates Uncertainty with Steady Wings

Image Source: Pattaya Mail

Thai Airways has announced rerouting its European and South Asian flights immediately after Pakistan closed its airspace, a decision that has caused shockwaves in the world's aviation industry.

Major Highlights:

Thai Airways started rerouting flights from 5:00 a.m. on May 7, 2025, to steer clear of conflict areas after Pakistan closed parts of its domestic airspace, affecting major international routes between Asia and Europe.

The shutdown, mandated by a formal Notice to Airman (NOTAM) issued by the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority, is supposed to continue at least until May 25, 2025, and mostly impacts Indian and Indian-operated airlines but spreads to all carriers passing through the area.

Flights that used to fly straight over Pakistan are now being routed through alternative routes, mainly over Iran, the Arabian Sea, and the UAE, taking longer flight times-some by as much as four hours-and raising operational costs.

Thai Airways, among other large international carriers like Emirates, Lufthansa, British Airways, and Singapore Airlines, is riding out this high-stakes detour, with thousands of miles being added each day to global flight routes.

The rerouting has caused cancellation or postponement of a few flights to Pakistani cities such as Lahore and Islamabad, whereas operations to Karachi are continuing via Oman airspace using bigger planes to carry impacted passengers.

Thai Airways is tracking the situation closely and advises customers to monitor updates and changed schedules on its official website or contact centers.

This historical closure of airspace illustrates the vulnerability of cross-border flights during a time of conflict, as the globe's air fleets juggle drastically altering skies.

Sources: Money & Banking Thailand, Airways Magazine, Travel and Tour World