Airlines are taking steps to ensure that they can keep flying even after the outbreak of a nuclear war.

Jets could continue to fly following an atomic blast under special insurance policies being drawn up to address the possibility of conflicts escalating in Ukraine and Kashmir.

Current policies that date back to the 1950s would force the grounding of all civil aircraft worldwide in the event of a single nuclear detonation, based on the assumption that this would lead to the outbreak of a third world war.

The escalating conflict between India and Pakistan over Kashmir has raised global concerns, with fears of a potential nuclear confrontation between the two nuclear-armed neighbors.

As tensions soar, the aviation industry is taking unprecedented steps to ensure operational continuity in the event of a nuclear detonation.

According to a recent report by The Telegraph, airlines are developing specialized insurance policies to allow flights to continue in regions unaffected by localized nuclear conflicts, marking a significant shift from traditional protocols that ground all civil aircraft globally after a single nuclear event.

The India-Pakistan conflict, centered on the disputed region of Kashmir, has intensified in recent weeks, reaching levels of hostility not seen in decades.

Both nations, equipped with nuclear arsenals, have exchanged missile and drone attacks, with India targeting alleged terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan retaliating against Indian military bases.

The violence, which has resulted in dozens of civilian and military casualties, prompted a brief ceasefire mediated by the United States, but violations have already been reported.

The nuclear capabilities of both countries add a chilling dimension to the conflict.

India is estimated to possess around 160-170 nuclear warheads, while Pakistan has approximately 170, including tactical nuclear weapons like the Nasr missile, designed for battlefield use.

The development of smaller, tactical nuclear warheads has shifted the perception of nuclear conflict from an apocalyptic, all-out war to a scenario where limited nuclear strikes could occur, necessitating new strategies for industries like aviation.

Historically, aviation insurance policies, drafted in the 1950s, mandated the grounding of all civil aircraft worldwide in the event of a nuclear detonation, based on the assumption that such an event would trigger a global war.

However, the emergence of tactical nuclear weapons, with yields as low as 0.3 kilotons compared to the 15-kiloton Hiroshima bomb, has prompted insurers to rethink this approach.

These smaller warheads, like the American B61 or Pakistan’s Nasr, are seen as more “usable” in localized conflicts, potentially allowing unaffected regions to continue normal operations.

Gallagher, a leading insurance broker, is spearheading efforts to create flexible policies that would permit airlines to operate in regions far from a nuclear detonation.

Nigel Weyman, a senior partner at Gallagher, emphasized the need for such measures, stating, “Why should Air New Zealand, for example, be grounded in the event of a nuclear detonation in Europe that was quite minor, albeit not for the people near it?”

The proposed plan involves a select group of insurers, supported by security experts from Osprey Flight Solutions, evaluating safe flight corridors and minimum altitudes to avoid risks like ground-to-air missiles.

This initiative draws parallels to how airlines navigate other disruptions, such as volcanic ash clouds, which affect large areas but do not halt global aviation.

By establishing “safe corridors” and adapting to localized risks, airlines aim to maintain connectivity even in the face of a nuclear event.

However, the challenge lies in balancing operational continuity with the unpredictable fallout—both literal and figurative—of a nuclear detonation.

The ongoing India-Pakistan conflict has already disrupted air travel in the region.

Pakistan closed its airspace to all flights until noon on Sunday, May 11, 2025, following Indian attacks on its military bases, while India barred Pakistani airlines from its airspace.

International carriers, including Air France and Lufthansa, have rerouted flights to avoid Pakistani airspace, resulting in longer flight times and increased fuel costs.

FlightRadar24 reported that 52 flights to or from Pakistan were canceled, and Pakistan may lose significant revenue from overflight fees, which can amount to hundreds of dollars per flight.

Passengers have been advised to contact airlines for updated schedules, and carriers like Swiss, part of the Lufthansa Group, are offering free rebooking for those missing connections due to rerouting.

The situation underscores the aviation industry’s vulnerability to geopolitical crises and the urgent need for adaptive strategies to mitigate disruptions.