- By Shivangi Sharma
- Tue, 23 Sep 2025 03:49 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
India has extended the closure of its airspace to Pakistani planes until October 24, following a similar action by Pakistan. The mutual restrictions, originally imposed in April after the Pahalgam terror attack that left 26 dead, have now continued for almost half a year.
The April 21 attack on Pahalgam brought immediate reactions from both states. On April 24, Pakistan prohibited Indian aircraft from flying over its territory for security reasons. India responded on April 30 by restricting Pakistani aircraft, including those flown, owned, and leased by Pakistan-based operators and airlines. Military flights are also prohibited. The restrictions have since been repeatedly extended by both countries every month by means of Notices to Airmen (NOTAMs).
As per the recent NOTAM dated September 23, issued by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), Indian airspace will be closed to Pakistan-registered aircraft until 2359 hours (UTC) on October 23, or 5:30 am (IST) on October 24. The notice makes clear that the prohibition applies on all categories of aircraft operated by Pakistan.
International Airlines Exempted
Though Indian and Pakistani carriers continue to be prohibited from using each other's airspace, international airlines are not restricted. Foreign airlines continue to be permitted to pass through the skies of both countries, reducing broader disruption to the global air network.
The extended shutdowns have created serious operational hardships for Indian airlines. The flights to Europe, the Middle East, and North America have had to travel longer detours, avoiding Pakistani airspace. The diversion has added 30 minutes to more than two hours of flight time on some routes. The longer routes not only prolong the journey times of passengers but also increase operational expenditures for airlines, mainly in the form of increased fuel use.
Impact On Indian Airlines
Aviation commentators highlight that the additional costs end up being transferred to passengers in terms of increased ticket rates. Additionally, increased flying time puts pressure on airline scheduling, which may impact fleet utilisation and crew management. Already struggling carriers with thin profit margins and high fuel prices are provided with one more strain by the prolonged closure of Pakistani airspace.