New Delhi, April 30, 2025: India has officially closed its airspace to all Pakistani-registered aircraft and airlines, issuing a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) effective immediately, in a significant escalation of tensions between the two nations. The move, announced on Wednesday, comes as a retaliatory measure following Pakistan’s closure of its airspace to Indian carriers on April 24, 2025, and is linked to the fallout from the deadly Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir, which killed 26 people.
According to a post on X by @NewsIADN, the Indian NOTAM bans all Pakistani civil and military aircraft, including those operated or leased by Pakistani airlines, from Indian airspace until May 23, 2025, with the possibility of extension based on the evolving situation. The decision is expected to disrupt Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) and other Pakistani operators, forcing them to reroute flights via longer paths, potentially through China or Sri Lanka, significantly increasing operational costs and flight times.
The closure follows a series of tit-for-tat actions sparked by the Pahalgam attack, which India attributes to cross-border terrorism linked to Pakistan-based groups like The Resistance Front (TRF), a proxy of Lashkar-e-Taiba. India has already suspended the Indus Waters Treaty, closed the Attari border crossing, expelled Pakistani diplomats, and revoked visas for Pakistani nationals. Pakistan reciprocated by closing the Wagah border, suspending trade, and downgrading diplomatic ties, while its Defense Minister Khwaja Asif’s controversial claim that Pakistan did the “dirty work” for the U.S. in past conflicts drew sharp criticism from U.S. Congressman Rich McCormick.
The airspace ban is likely to have a profound impact on regional aviation. Pakistan’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and PIA could face losses similar to those in 2019, when a five-month airspace closure cost Pakistan nearly $100 million in overflight fees and operational disruptions. A 2019 precedent saw Indian airlines lose approximately ₹700 crore due to Pakistan’s airspace restrictions post-Balakot airstrikes, hinting at the economic stakes involved.
Posts on X reflect heightened tensions, with @Tar21Operator claiming Pakistan’s leadership is bracing for an Indian response within 24-36 hours, citing reduced Pakistan Air Force operations and naval vessels on standby. Meanwhile, @carin__fischer reported Pakistan’s anticipation of military action from India, with PIA canceling flights from Gilgit and Skardu. These claims, while unverified, underscore the charged atmosphere.
India’s Ministry of Civil Aviation has not yet detailed the operational impact on Indian carriers, but the reciprocal ban is seen as a symbolic and strategic move to pressure Pakistan. Aviation experts warn that prolonged closures on both sides could disrupt international routes, increase airfares, and strain regional connectivity, particularly for flights to Central Asia, the Middle East, and Europe.
As both nations dig in, the closure of airspace marks a new low in India-Pakistan relations, with diplomatic observers warning of potential further escalation. The international community, including the U.S. and the UN, has called for restraint, but with both sides accusing each other of fomenting instability, de-escalation remains uncertain.
