Pakistan Extends Airspace Ban on Indian Aircraft for 210 Days Amid Ongoing Tensions
Islamabad – September 19, 2025
Pakistan has extended its airspace ban on all Indian-registered and Indian-operated aircraft, including commercial and military flights, for another month, the Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA) confirmed on Friday.
According to a fresh NOTAM (Notice to Airmen), the restriction applies to all Indian commercial airlines, private aircraft, and military planes, effectively barring them from entering Pakistani airspace.
Background of the Airspace Ban
Pakistan first imposed the restriction on April 24, 2025, in a reciprocal move after India suspended the Indus Water Treaty following the Pahalgam attack in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).
In response, India closed its airspace for Pakistani airlines on April 30. Since then, Pakistan has repeatedly extended the ban — the latest bringing the total duration to 210 days.
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Escalation of Tensions
The restrictions came amid a sharp escalation earlier in May when India launched unprovoked attacks on several Pakistani cities. In retaliation, Pakistan carried out a large-scale military operation named “Operation Bunyan-um-Marsoos”, striking multiple Indian military installations across the border.
According to officials, Pakistan’s “precise and proportionate” strikes resulted in the downing of six Indian fighter jets, including three Rafales, along with dozens of drones. The conflict lasted 87 hours, before a ceasefire agreement brokered by the United States ended hostilities on May 10, 2025.
Aviation and Economic Impact
While India’s aviation industry has suffered heavy financial losses due to rerouted flights and higher fuel costs, Pakistan’s aviation sector has faced minimal disruption.
This is not the first time Pakistan has enforced such measures. Similar airspace closures were implemented during the 1999 Kargil conflict and the 2019 Pulwama crisis, with India facing greater aviation setbacks on both occasions.
