ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s restriction on Indian aircraft using its airspace is approaching its first anniversary, with authorities extending the ban for another month through a new Notice to Airmen (NOTAM).
According to the Pakistan Airports Authority, all Indian-registered, leased, commercial, and military aircraft will remain prohibited from entering Pakistani airspace until 5am on May 24, 2026.
The ban was originally imposed on April 24, 2025, and has since dealt a significant financial blow to Indian airlines, with reported losses running into billions of rupees.
Islamabad had closed its airspace in response to India’s suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty following heightened tensions after the Pahalgam incident in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir. New Delhi accused Pakistan of involvement, an allegation Islamabad strongly denied while calling for an independent investigation.
In a reciprocal move, India barred Pakistani aircraft from its airspace on April 30, 2025, further escalating the standoff.
Tensions later intensified when India carried out strikes on multiple Pakistani cities in early May 2025. Pakistan responded with a large-scale military operation, Operation Bunyanum Marsoos, targeting several Indian military installations. The confrontation lasted nearly 87 hours before a ceasefire, reportedly facilitated by the United States, brought hostilities to an end on May 10.
Officials say the prolonged airspace closure has disproportionately affected India’s aviation sector, while Pakistan’s industry has faced comparatively limited disruption.
This is not the first such measure by Pakistan; similar airspace restrictions were enforced during the Kargil War and after the Pulwama attack, both of which had a greater operational impact on Indian carriers.
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