2025–2026 Pakistani airspace closure for Indian airlines

Since 24 April 2025, Pakistan has 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 Indian missiles strikes in Operation Sindhoor on locations in Pakistan-administered Kashmir and Mainland Pakistan.[1][2]

Background

On 22 April 2025, five armed terrorists shot and killed 26 people in Baisaran Valley in now what is known as the Pahalgam attack.[3][4] In response to the attack by the militia The Resistance Front, 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

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.

International closure

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 re-opened their airspace to non-Indian air carriers on 8 May, the day after it had been closed.[12]

On 9 May, Indian government claimed that Pakistan let civilian aircraft through Pakistan as a distraction to let in 300-400 drones into Northern India.[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.

Air India expects to face about $600m in additional costs if a ban from Pakistan’s airspace lasts for a year and has asked the Indian government to compensate it for the hit.[14]

The ban came 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.[15]

The Pakistan Airports Authority extended its airspace ban on Indian aircraft until January 23, 2026, as per a newly issued NOTAM. The restriction applies to all Indian commercial, military, and leased aircraft.[16] Later, the Pakistan Airports Authority further extended the ban on Indian aircraft until March 23rd, 2026.[17]

In March 2026, it was reported that 2026 Iran war coupled with Pakistani airspace closure had hit Indian airlines hard, as they could not operate to Middle East and Europe through the usual routes. Air India in particular reported a loss of $433 million in 2025 and further issued a forecast of over $600 million if ban continues.[18][19]

References

  1. ^ 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.
  2. ^ "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.
  3. ^ 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.
  4. ^ 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.
  5. ^ a b "India to stop water flowing across international borders, Modi says". www.bbc.com. 7 May 2025. Retrieved 17 May 2025.
  6. ^ 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.
  7. ^ a b Lomas, Chris (7 May 2025). "Costly diversions and delays continue to hit airlines around Indian and Pakistani airspace". Flightradar24 Blog. Retrieved 17 May 2025.
  8. ^ Maszczynski, Mateusz (28 April 2025). "Air India Turns Vienna Into a Gas Station Amid Pakistan Airspace Shutdown". PYOK. Retrieved 17 May 2025.
  9. ^ Pitrelli, Monica (28 April 2025). "Indian airlines can't fly over Pakistan. Here's how that is affecting flights". CNBC. Retrieved 17 May 2025.
  10. ^ Bhutia, Peden Doma (7 May 2025). "India-Pakistan: Airports Shut and Over 200 Flights Canceled". Skift. Retrieved 17 May 2025.
  11. ^ a b "Pakistan Shuts Down Airspace, Plans To Hit Back After India's Precision Strikes". NDTV. Retrieved 17 May 2025.
  12. ^ Asghar, Mohammad (8 May 2025). "Pakistan reopens airspace; India closes 21 airports". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 17 May 2025.
  13. ^ 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.
  14. ^ "Pakistan airspace ban could cost Air India $591m over 12 months". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 13 March 2026.
  15. ^ "Pakistan extends airspace ban for Indian aircraft, airlines till July 24". Money Control.
  16. ^ "India extends airspace ban for Pakistani airlines till August 23". The Economic Times. 23 July 2025. ISSN 0013-0389. Retrieved 24 July 2025.
  17. ^ "Reciprocal airspace closure to enter 11th month as Pakistan extends ban on Indian airlines, aircraft till March 24". The Indian Express. 18 February 2026. Retrieved 25 February 2026.
  18. ^ Ganapavaram, Abhijith (10 March 2026). "Iran war deals double blow to Indian airlines already hit by Pakistan airspace ban". Reuters. Retrieved 13 March 2026.
  19. ^ "Iran war deals double blow to Indian airlines already hit by Pakistan airspace ban". The Express Tribune. 11 March 2026. Retrieved 13 March 2026.
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