India has restricted its airspace to Pakistan until May 23 due to rising tensions.
India has formally restricted its airspace to all Pakistani aircraft until May 23, issuing a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) to implement the prohibition.
The decision ensued from intensified political and military tensions between the two nations.
The NOTAM stipulates that no Pakistani aircraft shall be authorised to utilise Indian airspace during this timeframe.
The effect of the restriction on Pakistan’s airline sector is expected to be less significant than on India’s, as only Pakistan International Airlines utilises Indian airspace for operations to Kuala Lumpur.
Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) had preemptively banned flights over Indian airspace in anticipation of probable concerns arising from escalating hostilities.
This event occurred soon after India abandoned the Indus Waters Treaty, citing the Pahalgam attack as justification—a decision that led Pakistan to respond by prohibiting Indian flights from utilising its airspace.
The abrupt airspace closure has resulted in operational difficulties for Indian airlines, necessitating the rerouting or postponement of numerous flights, especially those travelling westward.
