India shuts its airspace to Pak carriers

A week after the Pahalgam terror attack, India shut its airspace to all Pakistani commercial and military planes. This will be in effect till May 23, 2025.

A Notice To Airmen (NOTAM) has been issued, restricting Indian airspace to all aircraft registered, operated, or leased by Pakistan.

Soon after the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, Pakistani carriers had started avoiding Indian airspace. Now, India has officially restricted the neighbouring country from using its airspace. This would mean that the Pakistani airlines will have to fly over China or Sri Lanka for destinations in Southeast Asia, like Kuala Lumpur. Pakistan had already closed its airspace to all flights owned and operated by Indian carriers on April 24. Several Indian carriers flying from northern Indian cities were already taking a longer route to certain destinations abroad.

India’s decision comes amid escalating tensions between the two countries. India has already shut the Wagah border, suspended the Indus Waters Treaty, a bilateral water agreement and revoked visas to Pakistanis. It had set a 72 hour deadline for all Pakistanis to leave the country. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had chaired a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security on Wednesday. This was the second CCS meeting after the attack.

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