Taiwan's EVA Air has been significantly impacted by the India-Pakistan conflict, adjusting multiple European routes to avoid the dangerous airspace. The airline diverted its Vienna-bound flight BR62 back to its origin city, while flight BR95 from Taipei to Milan was rerouted through Vienna for refueling before continuing to its destination12. These operational changes were implemented purely for safety reasons, as the carrier prioritized passenger and crew security amid the escalating military tensions1.

The disruptions extended beyond these specific flights, with EVA Air and China Airlines together reporting at least 10 affected flights through Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport2. The conflict has complicated operations for carriers already navigating challenges in the Middle East and South Asia regions, with EVA Air shares dropping approximately 1.7% following the announcement of these route adjustments1. Like other Asian carriers, EVA opted for longer southern routes over the Arabian Sea rather than risking passage through the conflict zone3.

The Indian armed forces executed "Operation Sindoor" in the early hours of May 7, 2025, launching 24 precision missile strikes against nine terrorist targets in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK) over a 25-minute period from 1:05 AM to 1:30 AM12. The operation, jointly conducted by the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force, targeted terrorist strongholds including Muridke (Lashkar-e-Taiba headquarters) and Bahawalpur (Jaish-e-Mohammed base)13. According to official statements, the strikes killed approximately 70 terrorists and wounded 60 others, significantly degrading the operational capabilities of these groups12.

Named after the vermilion powder that symbolizes the widows created by the Pahalgam terror attack4, Operation Sindoor was described by India as a "measured and proportionate" response to the April 22 attack that killed 26 people, including one Nepali citizen12. The Indian Ministry of Defence emphasized that the operation was "focused, non-escalatory" and deliberately avoided Pakistani military installations13. Colonel Sophia Qureshi and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh, who co-led the operation briefing, noted that the strikes targeted terrorist infrastructure that had been used to plan and execute attacks against India over the past three decades25.

The airspace closure following India-Pakistan tensions is creating a financial nightmare for airlines on both sides. Indian carriers face projected annual losses of approximately $800 million (₹7,000 crore), with Air India bearing the heaviest burden at ₹5,000 crore ($591 million) due to its extensive long-haul operations, followed by IndiGo at ₹1,300 crore.12 The closure affects over 800 weekly flights from northern Indian cities to destinations across North America, Europe, the Middle East, and Central Asia.1

The economic impact extends beyond Indian carriers, with international airlines incurring substantial additional costs. Industry experts estimate each rerouted long-haul flight costs airlines an extra $25,000 to $50,000 depending on aircraft type.3 Meanwhile, Pakistan is suffering significant revenue losses from foregone overflight fees, estimated at $58,000 daily just from Boeing 737-class aircraft, with total daily losses around $120,000 from Indian flights alone.4 Moody's has warned that sustained conflict would damage Pakistan's economic recovery, potentially hampering its access to foreign funds and straining its ability to meet international debt obligations.5