India extends Pakistan airspace ban till August 24.
India has extended its ban on Pakistani aircraft from using Indian airspace until August 24. This move is part of a series of stringent measures taken by the Indian government in response to the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which claimed the lives of several security personnel. The government has condemned the attack in the strongest terms and is implementing a range of diplomatic, security, and strategic actions to send a clear message. The airspace restriction is aimed at increasing pressure on Pakistan and isolating it internationally over its continued support to cross-border terrorism. Further decisions may follow depending on the evolving security situation.
India Extends Ban on Pakistan Aircraft in Its Airspace Till August 24 Amid Ongoing Tensions
New Delhi: In a move underscoring the persistent strain in bilateral ties, India has extended the closure of its airspace for Pakistani aircraft by another month, pushing the deadline to August 24, 2025. This decision comes in the aftermath of the deadly Pahalgam terror attack in April, which killed 26 people and shook the nation.
The Ministry of Civil Aviation, through a formal Notice to Airmen (NOTAM), has reiterated the restriction that prohibits planes operated, owned, or leased by Pakistani airlines and operators, including military flights, from entering Indian airspace. The measure, originally enforced on April 30, was supposed to be a temporary response to the Pahalgam incident, but has since been extended thrice — first till May 24, then June 24, followed by July 24 — and now again, till August 24.
The fresh NOTAM now remains applicable until 2359 hours UTC on August 23, translating to 0530 hours IST on August 24. This means that for nearly four months now, no Pakistani aircraft—commercial or military—has flown through Indian skies.
The Pahalgam TriggerThe origins of this airspace ban can be traced back to the Pahalgam terror attack that took place on April 22. In one of the deadliest assaults in recent years in Jammu and Kashmir, terrorists ambushed a convoy near Pahalgam, killing 26 security personnel and injuring many more. The brazen attack sent shockwaves across the country and prompted strong condemnation from all quarters.
One of the earliest of these steps was the closure of its airspace to Pakistani aircraft — a symbolic yet logistically significant move impacting both commercial airlines and military planning.
Meanwhile, Pakistan too has retaliated by extending a similar ban on Indian aircraft over its airspace. The original ban, imposed on April 24, was a response to India’s suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty — another strong diplomatic step taken by New Delhi following the terror attack. Just like India, Pakistan had initially planned a one-month airspace closure until May 24, which has since been extended multiple times, the latest taking it to August 24 as well.
The airspace bans on both sides have complicated commercial flight routes, particularly for airlines operating between Europe and Southeast Asia, which often pass through Indian and Pakistani skies. Longer detours have translated into increased fuel costs and longer travel times, causing operational challenges for several international carriers.
Strategic and SymbolicWhile both nations have maintained these bans under the guise of security measures, experts believe they carry strong symbolic and diplomatic weight as well. “It’s not just about security; it’s a broader signal that India is taking a firm stand in response to cross-border terrorism,” says aviation and defence analyst Raghav Saxena. “By keeping the airspace closed, India is also keeping diplomatic channels under pressure.”
Indian government sources indicate that any potential rollback of these restrictions would depend on visible and verifiable de-escalation of hostilities and an end to terrorist activities emanating from across the border.
Ongoing Tensions and Uncertain OutlookEven though there have been intermittent backchannel communications and appeals from international mediators, no major breakthrough has occurred in the recent months.
As of now, the two nuclear-armed neighbours remain locked in a tense standoff, with mutual distrust characterising most interactions. The airspace restrictions, though not unprecedented, are a reminder that diplomatic friction continues to play out in multiple domains—be it military, environmental treaties, aviation, or water-sharing agreements.
With both nations now extending their respective bans till August 24, eyes will be on whether any shift occurs over the next month. But for now, the skies between India and Pakistan remain firmly closed — a reflection of the larger geopolitical chill that shows no sign of thawing.