2025 Pakistani airspace closure
On 24 April 2025, Pakistan closed its airspace to all Indian carriers. This quickly escalated to a total airspace closure after regional conflict between India and Pakistan.[1] The closure was in response to India's Operation Sindhoor missile strikes, where 9 different missiles hit 9 different locations in Pakistani-occupied Kashmir and Mainland Pakistan.[1][2]
Background
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On 22 April 2025, Pakistani militias shot and killed 26 people in Baisaran Valley in now what is known as the Pahalgam attack.[3][4] In response to this action by the militias Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Tabia, India suspended the Indus water treaty.[3][4][5]
In response to India's actions, Pakistan closed its airspace to all Indian carriers (eg. Air India, Indigo, etc.) and suspended trade considering their suspension of the water treaty as an "act of war".[5][6]
Effect on Indian airlines
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Many Indian air carriers like Air India and IndiGo have been drastically affected on their international routes. IndiGo has had flight time to Central Asian destinations increase by 3 hours or more.[7] Air India has had to divert most North American-bound flights to Vienna or Copenhagen in order to refuel their aircraft so that they can continue their flight.[7][8][9]
SpiceJet flights from North India have also added a few hours of flight time on due to the airspace closure including their Dubai-Delhi route.[10]
IndiGo flights to Tashkent, Uzbekistan have added 3 more hours to their route as they go around Pakistani airspace into Central Asia. IndiGo has canceled all of its operations to Almaty, Kazakhstan since 25 April.[7][10]
International closure
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On 7 May 2025, Pakistan closed its airspace to all air carriers including its own Pakistan International Airlines. Many international carriers like British Airways and Air France had their flights to and from South Asia and Australia planned to avoid Pakistani airspace.[11]
Pakistan did end up re-opening up their airspace to non-Indian air carriers on 8 May, the day after it had been closed.[12]
On 9 May, Pakistan let civilian aircraft through Pakistan as a distraction to let in 300-400 drones into Northern India, according to the government.[11][13]
On June 24, 2025, Pakistan extended its airspace closure for Indian aircraft and airlines until July 24, 2025, issuing a fresh Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) through its Civil Aviation Authority. The airspace restrictions, which were initially imposed following heightened diplomatic tensions, continue to disrupt regional connectivity and increase flight durations for Indian carriers, particularly those operating routes to Europe and Central Asia.
The decision has had economic ramifications for Pakistan’s aviation sector. By denying overflight access to Indian carriers, Pakistan continues to forgo potential revenue from overflight fees, which previously contributed significantly to the country’s civil aviation income. According to aviation analysts, prolonged restrictions are also affecting the image of Pakistan as a reliable air transit corridor, potentially deterring international airline partnerships and long-term route planning involving Pakistani airspace.
The ban comes amidst a broader regional strain and is seen by many observers as a move with more political symbolism than strategic utility, especially given the financial losses Pakistan’s aviation authorities are incurring with each passing month.[14]
References
[edit]- ^ a b "Pakistan airspace closed for all commercial flights at Lahore, Islamabad airports after India's Operation Sindoor | World News - Hindustan Times". 8 May 2025. Archived from the original on 8 May 2025. Retrieved 17 May 2025.
- ^ "Operation Sindoor: Pakistan shuts airspace for 48 hours; several Asian airlines avoid route". The Times of India. 7 May 2025. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 17 May 2025.
- ^ a b "What is The Resistance Front, the group that said it attacked tourists in Indian Kashmir's Pahalgam?". Reuters. 23 April 2025. Archived from the original on 23 April 2025. Retrieved 17 May 2025.
- ^ a b "India and Pakistan face conflict again - how did they de-escalate in the past?". www.bbc.com. 3 May 2025. Retrieved 17 May 2025.
- ^ a b "India to stop water flowing across international borders, Modi says". www.bbc.com. 7 May 2025. Retrieved 17 May 2025.
- ^ Laskar, Rezaul H (24 April 2025). "'Act of war': Pakistan closes airspace to Indian airlines, suspends all trade". Hindustan Times. p. 1. Retrieved 16 May 2025.
- ^ a b c Lomas, Chris (7 May 2025). "Costly diversions and delays continue to hit airlines around Indian and Pakistani airspace". Flightradar24 Blog. Retrieved 17 May 2025.
- ^ Maszczynski, Mateusz (28 April 2025). "Air India Turns Vienna Into a Gas Station Amid Pakistan Airspace Shutdown". PYOK. Retrieved 17 May 2025.
- ^ Pitrelli, Monica (28 April 2025). "Indian airlines can't fly over Pakistan. Here's how that is affecting flights". CNBC. Retrieved 17 May 2025.
- ^ a b Bhutia, Peden Doma (7 May 2025). "India-Pakistan: Airports Shut and Over 200 Flights Canceled". Skift. Retrieved 17 May 2025.
- ^ a b "Pakistan Shuts Down Airspace, Plans To Hit Back After India's Precision Strikes". NDTV. Retrieved 17 May 2025.
- ^ Asghar, Mohammad (8 May 2025). "Pakistan reopens airspace; India closes 21 airports". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 17 May 2025.
- ^ Ellis-Petersen, Hannah; Hassan, Aakash (9 May 2025). "Pakistan accused of launching fresh wave of drone strikes on India". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 17 May 2025.
- ^ "Pakistan extends airspace ban for Indian aircraft, airlines till July 24". Money Control.
