Thousands of passengers have been left stranded in airports, as airlines scramble to re-route flights that fly over Pakistan.

The country has shut its airspace following several days of violence with India over Kashmir.

One passenger in Bangkok says she was recommended by an airline to postpone her ticket - for a week.

Thai Airways said it cancelled more than a dozen flights to and from Europe early on Thursday (February 28), but that it will re-route and resume flights later in the day after gaining permission to fly through Chinese airspace.

Other airlines including British Airways and Singapore Airlines are also taking different paths.

It comes after tit-for-tat airstrikes between India and Pakistan - the first time in history nuclear-armed powers have done so - and an aerial engagement between Pakistani and Indian fighter jets on Wednesday (February 27).

The facts from that are being disputed by the two sides.

Pakistan said two Indian jets had been shot down after they entered Pakistani airspace.

They claim to have captured an Indian pilot.

While India claims to have shot down a Pakistani jet and said it lost just one of its own planes, acknowledging a pilot was missing in action.

The pilot is fast becoming a social media sensation, and a hero back home.

Pakistan has identified him as Wing Commander Abhi Nandan.

India's foreign ministry is demanding his immediate release, but haven't confirmed his identity.

They've said his treatment is in violation of international humanitarian law and the Geneva convention.

World powers have been urging restraint between the two.

The White House is urging immediate steps from both countries to de-escalate the situation.

The European Union, China and Japan are among other countries expressing concern.