Pakistan extends airspace ban on Indian aircraft for another month

Pakistan on Monday extended its airspace ban on Indian aircraft for another month, continuing restrictions originally imposed in April in response to escalating diplomatic and military hostilities between the two nuclear-armed neighbours, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) issued a fresh Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) Monday, formally extending the ban until late July. The restrictions, which apply to Indian commercial and military flights, were first implemented on April 24, 2025, then extended on May 23, and were due to expire today.

According to official sources, the decision to maintain the closure is a “security precaution” amid what Islamabad describes as “persistent hostilities” from India, despite a ceasefire announced on May 10 following the worst armed conflict between the two countries in decades.

Pakistani airspace to remain closed to Indian aircraft until July 23, 2025, according to the NOTAM issued by the Pakistan Airports Authority.

The NOTAM stated that the ban on Indian airlines' passenger and military aircraft using Pakistani airspace will remain in place.

The airspace ban does not apply to other international airlines, and Pakistani airspace remains open for non-Indian commercial flights.

The closure has disrupted Indian air travel routes, forcing carriers—especially Air India—to divert flights over longer paths to Europe and North America, increasing flying time and operational costs. In an interview with Bloomberg TV, Air India CEO Campbell Wilson confirmed the impact on the airline’s bottom line, saying, “It’ll certainly hit our profitability,” though the airline has managed to continue most of its non-stop international operations.

Aviation experts note that while airspace bans are relatively rare, such measures have been used during previous periods of geopolitical instability, particularly between India and Pakistan.

As tensions remain unresolved and diplomatic dialogue stalled, the extended ban signals Pakistan’s intent to keep regional skies closed to Indian aircraft until further notice.