by Jen Mallia
Last updated: 10:45 AM ET, Mon April 28, 2025
Recent developments in India will affect visitors travelling there or coming home.
On April 24th, Pakistan announced that its airspace would be closed to all Indian owned and operated aircraft and that the Wagah Border Post would be closed, in addition to other sweeping diplomatic maneuvers.
As a result of the restricted air space, Air India flights to Canada will be re-routed, causing longer flight times. Flights to the U.S., U.K., Europe and Middle East will also be subject to extended routes.
“Air India regrets the inconvenience caused to our passengers due to this unforeseen airspace closure that is outside our control,” the airline states. “We would like to reiterate that at Air India, the safety of our customers and crew remains top priority.”
Air India currently has regularly scheduled flights into Toronto Pearson and Vancouver International.
Tensions between India and Pakistan have been elevated since a terror attack in Pahalgam on April 22, 2025. India has suspended a water-sharing treaty and both countries have expelled diplomats and revoked some visas. The BBC reports India is searching for the terror suspects in the disputed Jammu and Kashmir region, demolishing homes and detaining suspects. Small arms fire at the border has also been reported.
Amid the escalating tension, the Canadian government updated its travel advisory to India. Previously, the advisory has advised travel in the border area between India and Pakistan be avoided, with the exception of the Wagah border crossing. As of the April 25, 2025 update, the government of Canada includes the crossing in the “avoid all travel” advisory and notes the Attari-Wagah crossing is currently closed.
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