Pakistan extended its airspace closure for Indian aircraft and airlines by another month on Monday. The restriction will now remain in effect until the early hours of July 24. The extension was communicated through a fresh Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) issued by Pakistan’s aviation authorities, IE reported.
The airspace ban was initially imposed on April 24 in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack. The move barred Indian carriers and aircraft from overflying Pakistani territory. Days later, on April 30, India responded with a reciprocal airspace closure for Pakistani aircraft and airlines. The tit-for-tat restrictions were first extended on May 23, with both nations prolonging the bans until 5:29 am IST on June 24, the report further said.
Pakistan’s aviation authorities issued a fresh NOTAM, like its previous advisories with one key update about the exact timings. The ban continues to apply to all Indian aircraft, including commercial and military flights.
The ongoing restrictions are having a significant operational impact on Indian airlines. With Pakistani airspace off-limits, nearly 800 flights per week are being forced to take longer, more circuitous routes. This has led to increased fuel consumption, extended flight durations and added complexities in crew deployment and scheduling, all contributing to rising operational costs for Indian carriers.