India has extended its ban on Pakistani aircraft using its airspace until May 24, pushing the restriction to more than a year since it was first imposed shortly after the Pahalgam terror attack.
With this latest move, the reciprocal closure of airspace between India and Pakistan continues, as both sides have been renewing restrictions on each other’s flights since April last year. Just a day earlier, Pakistan also extended its own airspace ban until May 24.
A Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) issued on Wednesday stated that Indian airspace will remain unavailable to Pakistan-registered aircraft, as well as planes operated, owned or leased by Pakistani airlines or operators, including military flights.
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The restriction will remain in force until 2359 hours (UTC) on May 23, which corresponds to 0530 hours (IST) on May 24. The decision traces back to the April 22, 2025 attack in Pahalgam, in which 26 people were killed. In the aftermath, both countries moved swiftly to shut their airspace to each other’s aircraft.
India’s ban has been effective since April 30, 2025, while Pakistan began enforcing its restrictions on Indian aircraft from April 24, 2025.
Initially announced as a temporary measure until May 24, 2025, India’s airspace closure has since been extended on a monthly basis as part of broader actions taken against Pakistan following the attack.
A NOTAM, commonly used in aviation, is an official notice that provides critical information for those involved in flight operations. As a result of the continued restrictions, Indian airlines have been forced to take longer alternative routes for several international flights, increasing travel time and operational costs.
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