Pakistan Extends Closure Of Airspace For Indian Flights Till June 24
Lahore: Pakistan has extended the closure of its airspace for Indian flights until June 24, according to a new NOTAM (Notice to Airmen) issued by the Pakistan Airports Authority.
The extension follows the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) rules that restrict such closure for a month at a time.
The ban on Indian aircraft flying over Pakistan airspace has been extended until 4:59 am June 24, 2025, the Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA) stated in a release.
All aircraft that are Indian-registered, operated, owned, or leased will remain subject to the ban, the PAA statement said.
The ban will also apply to Indian military aircraft. No flight operated by Indian airlines or operators will be allowed to use Pakistani airspace, the statement added.
Under the directive, no flight operated by Indian airlines or operators will be allowed to enter or transit through Pakistani airspace, the PAA said.
Pakistan had imposed the airspace ban last month following actions taken by New Delhi in response to the April 22 Pahalgam terrorist attack, which claimed the lives of 26 people.
The initial ban was set for a month, until May 23, as per ICAO guidelines that limit airspace restrictions to one month at a time.
The extension of the closure by a month comes two days after an IndiGo pilot on a Delhi-Srinagar flight encountered a sudden hailstorm on Wednesday, prompting the pilot to seek permission from Lahore Air Traffic Control to briefly use Pakistani airspace to avoid the turbulence. However, the request was denied.
India has repeatedly expressed concerns over the airspace restrictions, which it claims are based on unfounded allegations of Indian military activity in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
India has also stated that the restrictions are an obstacle to the resumption of air services between the two countries, which were suspended in 2020 following the Pulwama attack.
India has urged Pakistan to review the restrictions and engage in dialogue to resolve the underlying tensions.
Pakistan, on the other hand, has maintained that the restrictions are necessary to ensure the safety of its citizens and to prevent any potential security threats from Indian military aircraft.
The situation has raised concerns among aviation experts and international observers, who warn that prolonged airspace restrictions could have significant economic and diplomatic consequences.
As the deadline approaches, both countries are likely to continue to monitor the situation closely, with the hope of finding a resolution that satisfies both sides.