India, Pakistan extend airspace closure for each other’s aircraft, airlines by another month
In a development that further underscores the ongoing geopolitical tension in South Asia, India and Pakistan have both extended their airspace restrictions on each other’s aircraft for yet another month. The move, formalized through Notices to Airmen (NOTAMs) issued on June 23 and 24, 2025, marks the third consecutive month of reciprocal airspace closures. The restrictions are now set to remain in place until July 24, 2025, at 5:29 a.m. IST.
This decision continues to place significant operational and financial strain on commercial airlines, especially Indian carriers, which operate a much larger international network compared to their Pakistani counterparts. The extension comes in the wake of rising bilateral tensions that began in April 2025 following a deadly terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam region.
A Timeline of the Closure
The airspace restrictions began shortly after the April 22 Pahalgam attack, in which more than 30 security personnel and civilians lost their lives. Citing national security concerns, Pakistan closed its airspace to Indian-registered and operated aircraft, including both civil and military flights, on April 24.
India responded a few days later, on April 30, by imposing similar restrictions on Pakistani aircraft. Since then, both countries have been renewing the NOTAMs on a monthly basis.
The current extension means that any Indian or Pakistani aircraft will have to continue avoiding the other’s airspace, significantly impacting flight paths, fuel usage, and operational efficiency.
Airlines Caught in the Crossfire
For Indian airlines, the continued closure of Pakistani airspace has forced extensive rerouting, especially for flights to destinations in Europe, Central Asia, and North America. Carriers such as Air India, IndiGo, and Vistara have had to take longer routes, flying over the Arabian Sea, Gulf nations, and Central Asia, instead of direct westward routes through Pakistan.
These detours are not only increasing flight duration but also fuel consumption, crew hours, and maintenance costs. Air India has reportedly warned that the extended closures could cost them up to $600 million annually. The national carrier has also approached the Indian government seeking compensation or relief measures.
Low-cost airline IndiGo, which had recently launched services to Almaty (Kazakhstan) and Tashkent (Uzbekistan), has suspended flights to these destinations, citing operational infeasibility under current airspace conditions.
On the other side, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), already operating a limited number of international flights due to financial constraints and fleet limitations, is experiencing relatively minimal disruption. Most of PIA’s global routes are eastward or southward, and the carrier has little exposure to European and North American markets.
Economic and Strategic Ramifications
The extended airspace restrictions have added a new layer of complexity to the strained relationship between the two nuclear-armed neighbors. While no direct military escalation has taken place in recent weeks, the tit-for-tat closure of airspace indicates a hardened diplomatic stance on both sides.
From an economic perspective, the closure is proving particularly costly for India, whose airlines carry a larger share of international traffic and depend more heavily on westbound routes. The Indian aviation sector, already under pressure from rising fuel prices and post-pandemic recovery costs, now faces an additional hurdle in the form of airspace bottlenecks.
Logistics companies and freight operators have also raised concerns about longer transit times, which can disrupt time-sensitive deliveries, especially for pharmaceuticals, electronics, and perishables.
Moreover, these airspace restrictions are adding to carbon emissions, as longer flight paths lead to more fuel burn. This could become a contentious issue as both countries strive to meet their international climate commitments.
Diplomatic Deadlock Continues
While there have been quiet efforts from neutral countries to broker de-escalation talks, neither New Delhi nor Islamabad has indicated any willingness to lift the airspace bans unilaterally. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs has reiterated that Pakistan must take concrete action against cross-border terrorism before normal aviation ties can resume.
Meanwhile, Pakistani officials have maintained that the airspace ban is a “protective measure” amid rising security concerns, pointing to alleged Indian air incursions and intelligence operations near their western frontier.
Experts suggest that unless significant diplomatic engagement occurs, the closure may become semi-permanent—much like during previous standoffs in 1999 (Kargil conflict) and 2019 (Balakot airstrikes).
Global Implications
The India-Pakistan airspace corridor is a crucial link for many global airlines. During past disruptions, even major international carriers like British Airways, Lufthansa, Qatar Airways, and Emirates were forced to rework their schedules. While the current restrictions are largely bilateral, analysts warn that any escalation could result in a broader regional airspace crisis.
Additionally, insurance costs for flights near conflict-prone zones have reportedly risen, with some global reinsurers flagging South Asia as a high-risk aviation corridor. This, in turn, could impact ticket prices and route planning for both passengers and cargo services.
What Lies Ahead?
With the July 24 deadline looming, all eyes are now on whether the airspace bans will be lifted, extended, or possibly hardened further. For the Indian aviation industry, continued disruption could lead to capacity cuts on long-haul routes or increased ticket prices for international travelers.
For diplomatic observers, the deadlock serves as a grim reminder that even in an age of globalization, airspace can still become a theater for political signaling.
In the meantime, passengers and airlines alike are left to navigate the turbulence—both literal and metaphorical—that comes with every extra mile flown over increasingly tense skies.
