Pakistan is expected to extend its airspace closure for Indian aircraft by another month, with a formal announcement likely in the coming days, sources confirmed on Sunday.
The move follows India’s April 23 decision to shut its airspace to Pakistan after the Pahalgam attack in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, which killed 26 tourists. Pakistan reciprocated the next day and initially imposed the restriction until May 23.
Officials said the decision to extend the closure will be formalised with a new Notice to Airmen (Notam) issued before the current one expires. Under International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) rules, airspace cannot be closed for more than a month at once, necessitating a renewal.
Tensions between the nuclear-armed neighbours escalated earlier this month following military strikes that lasted over three days. During a National Security Committee meeting, Pakistan cited India’s “frivolous measures” as justification for the closure, which applies to both civilian and military flights.
The airspace restrictions are significantly affecting Indian aviation, with hundreds of daily flights disrupted, resulting in longer routes, increased fuel costs, and mid-journey refuelling stops. Pakistan, which has fewer eastbound operations, faces minimal disruption in comparison.
Within hours of the closure, several Indian flights were diverted. A Toronto-Delhi flight landed in Copenhagen to refuel, while Paris and London departures made unplanned stops in Abu Dhabi. A Sharjah-Amritsar route was rerouted, and other flights returned to Indian airports for additional fuel.
Pakistan has previously closed its airspace in similar situations, including during the Kargil conflict in 1999 and the Pulwama aftermath in 2019. In those cases, the restrictions caused more disruption for India than for Pakistan.
Following the recent Pahalgam incident, India accused Pakistan of involvement but has not presented any evidence. Pakistan has rejected the claims as baseless and irrational.
The fallout has extended beyond aviation. India suspended the Indus Waters Treaty, and both countries expelled diplomats and suspended key bilateral agreements. Visa programmes and trade routes have also been affected.
Information Minister Attaullah Tarar stated that Indian airlines could face millions of dollars in losses due to the extended airspace ban.
