Pakistan Extends Airspace Ban on Indian Flights Until May 2024: What You Need to Know

Pakistan's Airspace Closure for Indian Aircraft Extended

New Delhi: On Tuesday, Pakistan announced an extension of its airspace restrictions for Indian flights until May 24, marking over a year of these limitations.

Following the tragic terror attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir, which resulted in 26 fatalities on April 22 last year, both nations have imposed airspace bans on each other's aircraft. Pakistan has prohibited Indian planes from entering its airspace since April 24, 2025, while Indian airspace has been off-limits to Pakistani flights since April 30 of the previous year.

A Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) indicates that Pakistani airspace remains unavailable for any aircraft registered in India, as well as those owned, operated, or leased by Indian airlines, including military flights.

This restriction will be effective from April 21 until 2359 hours (UTC) on May 23, which corresponds to 0530 hours (IST) on May 24, according to the NOTAM issued by the Pakistan Airport Authority (PAA).

The ongoing ban has forced Indian airlines to take longer routes for various international flights, as it has been nearly a year since the restrictions were first implemented.

In response, India has also prohibited Pakistani aircraft from utilizing its airspace until 0530 hours on April 24, with expectations for further extensions.

This ban is part of a series of actions taken by the Indian government following the Pahalgam terror incident, initially set to expire on May 24, 2025, but has been renewed monthly.

Typically, a NOTAM serves as a crucial communication tool for those involved in flight operations.