Pakistan Extends Airspace Ban on Indian Aircraft Until June 24 Amid Escalating Tensions

By A Staff Reporter

NEW DELHI – Pakistan has extended its airspace closure for Indian-registered aircraft and those operated by Indian airlines and military by another month, with the restriction now set to remain in effect until 5:29 am (IST) on June 24, 2025. The development was confirmed through a freshly issued NOTAM (Notice to Airmen) released on Friday, further tightening the impact of strained India-Pakistan relations following the Pahalgam terror attack.

Initially implemented on April 24 as a direct fallout of rising hostilities, the closure bars Indian commercial and military flights from overflying Pakistani territory. The new NOTAM, which replaces the previous one set to expire on May 24, reiterates that Pakistan’s airspace is “not available for Indian registered aircraft and aircraft operated, owned or leased by Indian airlines/operators, including military flights.”

The closure has forced Indian carriers to reroute hundreds of westward flights, resulting in longer journey durations, increased fuel costs, and logistical complications. Data from aviation analytics firm Cirium indicates that nearly 800 weekly flights—both outbound and inbound—are affected, primarily those operating from Delhi, Amritsar, Jaipur, and Lucknow to destinations in West Asia, Europe, the UK, and North America.

Major Indian airlines, including Air India, IndiGo, Air India Express, Akasa Air, and SpiceJet, have all felt the ripple effects. IndiGo has been hit particularly hard, having suspended its services to Almaty and Tashkent, which are now beyond the range of its current fleet due to detours necessitated by the closure.

India, for its part, had reciprocated the move on April 30 by closing its airspace to Pakistani aircraft and airlines.

While Pakistan’s struggling national carrier PIA has limited international reach and is less affected, India’s booming aviation industry is bearing significant operational and economic costs. The closure also raises concerns about the long-term impact on connectivity, ticket pricing, and flight schedules should the standoff persist.