ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has prolonged its airspace ban on all Indian-registered and Indian-operated aircraft, including military planes, for another month. The Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA) confirmed the extension on Friday through a new Notice to Airmen (NOTAM), which continues the restriction that prohibits Indian commercial airlines, India-registered aircraft, and military flights from entering Pakistani airspace.
The initial airspace ban was imposed by Pakistan on April 24, following India’s suspension of the Indus Water Treaty amid rising tensions after the deadly Pahalgam attack in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). In retaliation, India closed its airspace to Pakistani airlines on April 30. The latest extension of the ban brings the total duration of the airspace closure to 210 days.
In May 2023, India launched unprovoked attacks on Pakistani cities, prompting Pakistan’s armed forces to carry out “Operation Bunyan-um-Marsoos,” a large-scale retaliatory military action targeting Indian military installations. The conflict led to the downing of several fighter jets, including three Rafale aircraft, and the war ended with a ceasefire agreement brokered by the United States on May 10.
While the aviation industry in India has suffered significant losses due to the restrictions, Pakistan’s aviation sector has faced minimal impact. Similar airspace closures were previously imposed during the 1999 Kargil conflict and the 2019 Pulwama crisis, with India enduring greater disruptions than Pakistan.
