In a move that signals continued strain in Indo-Pak ties, Pakistan has extended its ban on Indian-operated flights through its airspace until August 24, according to a notification issued by the Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA) on Friday.
The Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) came into effect at 3:50 PM IST on July 18 and will remain valid until 5:19 AM IST on August 24, explicitly banning all civilian and military aircraft that are Indian-owned or leased from using Pakistani airspace.
How It Started: The Pahalgam Terror Attack and Diplomatic Fallout
The airspace restrictions are the direct fallout of the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir, which killed 26 Indian civilians, including several tourists and security personnel. The Indian government swiftly blamed Pakistan-based terror groups for orchestrating the attack, triggering diplomatic and security countermeasures.
As part of its response, India shut its airspace to all Pakistani aircraft on April 30, covering both civil and military aviation. Pakistan retaliated on April 24, preemptively banning Indian flights over its skies. Since then, both countries have continued to extend their respective airspace bans in phases, with no signs of de-escalation as of mid-July.
Impact on Airlines, Logistics, and Civil Aviation
The continued closure of Pakistani airspace has significantly disrupted Indian airline operations. With access denied, nearly 800 flights per week are being rerouted along longer, less efficient paths. This has led to increased fuel consumption, extended flying times, and more complex crew scheduling, driving up operational costs for Indian carriers.
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Longer Flight Times & Higher Costs: Indian airlines flying westwards (e.g., to Europe, Central Asia, and the Middle East) must now reroute, leading to longer flight durations, increased fuel consumption, and higher ticket prices for passengers.
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Limited Overflight Revenue for Pakistan: Pakistan typically earns millions of dollars in overflight charges. The continued ban on Indian flights denies Islamabad this income, adding economic strain at a time when its economy is already facing challenges.
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Burden on Airlines: Airlines on both sides, including Air India, IndiGo, and Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), are experiencing schedule disruptions, load restrictions, and rising operational costs.
Wider Geopolitical and Strategic Implications
This standoff is more than just about aviation—it reflects a larger diplomatic freeze between India and Pakistan. Since the Pahalgam attack, India has hardened its position on cross-border terrorism, and diplomatic engagement between the two nations remains minimal.
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Military Signaling: The blanket airspace ban applies not just to civil flights but also military and surveillance aircraft, signaling heightened security postures on both sides.
- Some Europe-Asia cargo flights and Middle East-India-West routes are being re-routed, adding delays and congestion to alternative corridors over Central Asia, Iran, or the Arabian Sea.
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The aviation insurance sector is also tracking these developments closely, as extended airspace bans often lead to increased premiums and risk assessments.
Looking Ahead: What Could Break the Deadlock?
With Pakistan’s ban now extended till August 24, and India’s airspace closed to Pakistani flights till at least July 24, the aviation and diplomatic standoff appears set to continue unless:
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International mediation steps in to ease tensions.
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Concrete action on cross-border terror networks is observed.
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Or a breakthrough occurs during upcoming multilateral summits, where both nations may be represented.
“My daughter had to reroute her flight from Dubai to Delhi via Muscat and lost an entire day,” said Nisha Malhotra, whose family had just faced a flight delay scare after the Ahmedabad runway incident last week. “First the runway chaos, now this airspace mess—flying is becoming stressful again.”
