Pakistan Extends Airspace Ban on Indian Aircraft Until July 23 Amid Escalating Tensions
- Pakistan has extended its airspace ban on Indian aircraft until July 23 amid ongoing tensions.
- Indian airlines have suffered over Rs8.2 billion in losses due to rerouting and added operational costs.
- Pakistan’s aviation remains largely unaffected, with minimal disruption to its flight operations.
Pakistan has extended its airspace closure for all Indian aircraft until July 23, 2025, in a move tied to ongoing diplomatic and military tensions between the two neighboring countries. The restriction, first imposed on April 24, has now been prolonged for a total of 90 days, according to a fresh Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) issued by the Pakistan Airports Authority. The ban applies to all Indian-registered commercial and military aircraft, including leased and chartered planes, and prohibits their entry into Pakistani airspace.
The airspace closure was initially enforced following a deadly April 22 attack in Pahalgam, located in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), which claimed the lives of 26 civilians. India promptly blamed Pakistan without providing evidence, triggering a series of retaliatory measures including revoking visas, suspending the Indus Waters Treaty, and closing the Wagah border. In response, Pakistan viewed these steps as provocative, labelling them an “act of war,” and responded with the airspace ban.
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As bilateral hostilities escalated, India launched military operations under “Operation Sindoor,” including unprovoked missile and drone strikes on Pakistani cities on May 6 and 7. Pakistan retaliated with a large-scale military operation named “Operation Bunyan-um-Marsoos,” targeting Indian military infrastructure and downing six Indian fighter jets, including three Rafales, and dozens of Israeli-made Harop drones. According to Pakistan’s Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the conflict resulted in the martyrdom of 53 Pakistanis, including 13 soldiers and 40 civilians.
Hostilities ceased on May 10 following a U.S.-brokered ceasefire agreement, with both nations agreeing to halt military actions across land, sea, and air. Despite the ceasefire, diplomatic relations remain strained, and Pakistan has opted to continue restricting Indian access to its airspace as a form of pressure and response to India’s earlier actions.
The consequences of this extended airspace ban have been severe for India’s aviation sector. Indian airlines have suffered estimated losses exceeding Rs8.2 billion due to longer routes, increased fuel consumption, and operational delays. Over 150 daily flights now face 2 to 4 extra hours of air time, particularly those traveling from Amritsar, Delhi, Bangalore, Jaipur, and Ahmedabad to Europe, North America, and the Middle East. Flights must now reroute over the Arabian Sea, significantly affecting efficiency and profitability.
The operational strain has particularly impacted long-haul carriers like Air India, which is reported to be the worst affected and has sought financial assistance from the Indian government. Other Indian airlines such as IndiGo, SpiceJet, Air India Express, and Akasa Air have also reported serious disruptions. Additional stopovers are now required due to extended crew duty hours, further increasing costs related to landing fees, refueling, and ground services.
According to industry sources, aircraft like the Boeing 777 burn over 6,600 kg of fuel per hour, while A320 family jets consume around 2,400 kg per hour. With jet fuel prices averaging $0.82 per kg, Indian airlines are now spending over $550,000 daily in extra fuel costs alone, totaling over Rs5 billion in just one month. Stopover-related costs have added another Rs2.5 to Rs3 billion to the losses.
In contrast, the impact on Pakistan’s aviation sector has been minimal. With limited eastbound operations and rerouting just one flight through Chinese airspace, Pakistan’s airlines have managed to avoid significant disruptions. Historically, similar airspace closures during the 1999 Kargil conflict and 2019 Pulwama crisis also resulted in greater losses for India than Pakistan.
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