(Yicai) May 8 -- Chinese airlines have suspended all flights to and from Pakistan after the South Asian country closed its airspace because of escalating tensions with India.

Air China has temporarily grounded flights from Beijing Capital International Airport to Islamabad and Karachi, while China Southern Airlines halted flights from Guangzhou, Urumqi, and Kashgar to Islamabad and from Guangzhou to Lahore, according to data from flight information provider Flight Manager.

China Southern passengers who had booked trips to or from Islamabad or Lahore between May 7 and June 7, including codeshare agreement services, are eligible for a one-time fee-free change or a full refund, the airline announced yesterday. Air China also offered rebooking and refund options to those affected.

Pakistan's Civil Aviation Authority announced the closure of the country's national airspace, grounding all flights to, from, and within Pakistan for 48 hours starting yesterday after reports of cross-border incidents with India, CCTV News reported.

The airspace closure has rippled across the global aviation sector. Air France suspended operations through Pakistani airspace indefinitely, citing heightened regional risks, with the detour extending travel time to Delhi, Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh City, and other destinations and prompting schedule adjustments.

Germany's Lufthansa also rerouted flights to avoid Pakistani airspace, impacting the flight time for several Asian routes. Other carriers, including Emirates and Qatar Airways, have reportedly adjusted operations, though there are no specific details yet.

IndiGo, Air India, and other Indian carriers issued travel advisories, noting that airports in the country's northern regions, including Jammu, Srinagar, and Amritsar, will remain closed until further notice due to the ongoing situation. The Indian Ministry of Civil Aviation has not provided a timeline.

Editor: Martin Kadiev