Travel Alert: UK Government Issues New Advice for India and Pakistan

Charlie Travel 8 May 2025 | | 0

Tensions between India and Pakistan are escalating after India launched missile strikes on May 7, 2025. India said the strikes were in response to an earlier attack in April that killed several Indian tourists.

Pakistan condemned the strikes as a “blatant act of war,” claiming dozens of civilians were killed. Its defence minister has promised to retaliate. This marks the most serious clash between the two nuclear-armed countries in the past 20 years.

Both countries have reported heavy shelling along the Line of Control in Kashmir, resulting in civilian and military casualties. Each side claims to have shot down projectiles fired by the other.

UK Government Advice

The UK Foreign Office has issued the following travel warnings:

India: Avoid all travel within 10km of the India-Pakistan border. Do not travel to Jammu and Kashmir or to the state of Manipur unless essential. The Wagah-Attari border crossing is closed.
Pakistan: Avoid all but essential travel within five miles of the India border and all travel within 10 miles of the Line of Control in Pakistan-administered Kashmir. Also, avoid the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, much of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Balochistan. Only travel to Sindh Province if essential.

The Foreign Office also warns that the airspace north and northwest of Delhi remains restricted and could change at short notice. British nationals should stay informed, follow local advice, and check with their airline for updates.

Foreigners are not allowed to travel near certain parts of the Pakistan border, and doing so could lead to arrest. Some border areas in Gujarat and Rajasthan are unmarked and dangerous.

Are Flights Affected?

Airlines around the world are adjusting routes and cancelling flights to avoid the conflict zone:

On 8 May, over 430 Indian flights and more than 147 Pakistani flights were cancelled.
Pakistan briefly closed its entire airspace but has since reopened it.
Some airlines, including Emirates, Qatar Airways, and Flydubai, have suspended flights to northern cities like Lahore, Islamabad, and Amritsar.
United Airlines has cancelled flights to Delhi, and others such as KLM, Singapore Airlines, Thai Airways, and Korean Air have rerouted flights.
India has temporarily closed airports in Srinagar, Leh, Jammu, Dharamshala, and Amritsar.

Passengers should expect delays and cancellations. Contact your airline before heading to the airport.

Can I Get a Refund or Change My Plans?

If your flight is cancelled or delayed, you may be entitled to:

A replacement flight or refund (especially if you're flying with a UK or EU airline, or departing from the UK/EU).
Accommodation, meals, and transport while you wait.
Compensation if the airline cancels your flight with less than 14 days’ notice—unless the disruption was out of their control.

For package holidays, contact your provider. Your eligibility for a refund or rescheduling will depend on their terms. Also, check your travel insurance policy or speak to your insurer for guidance.

What are your thoughts on this issue? Talk to us in the comment section below. Or if you need more advice on the above, contact us for further travel & immigration advice.

Check out the deals we have found below and tell us your travel plans.

Check out the offers and discounts from:

And because of the pandemic, don’t forget to get your travel insurance, which will cover you for flight disruptions and pandemic related matters.

IaM can help with your visa application to Europe, the United States, the UK & other countries

If you need help with a US visa, a UK Visa, or a visa to Europe, including help with appointment booking obligations, IaM can help. For more information and advice on US immigration, UK immigration law and US visa applications or if you need any help or assistance please, reach out to your Visa Coordinator at IaM.

Some of our posts include affiliate links. If you choose to purchase any of these products, we might get a small commission. For more information, check out our TOS.

Are you one of the lucky Green Card winners? Talk to us in the comment section below.

If you have plans to travel, check out the deals we found just for you!

Check out the deals we have found below and tell us your travel plans.

Check out the offers and discounts from:

And because of the pandemic, don’t forget to get your travel insurance, which will cover you for flight disruptions and pandemic related matters.

IaM can help with your visa application to the United States, the UK & other countries

If you need help with a US visa, a UK Visa, or visa to Europe, including help with appointment booking obligations, IaM can help. For more information and advice on US immigration, UK immigration law and US visa applications or if you need any help or assistance please, reach out to your Visa Coordinator at IaM.

_{Some of our posts include affiliate links. If you choose to purchase any of these products, we might get a small commission. For more information, check out our TOS.}