New Delhi (National Times): In a continuing escalation of tensions between the two countries, India on Monday extended its airspace ban for Pakistan-operated aircraft until July 24, 2025. The decision comes nearly two months after the deadly terror attack in Pahalgam that claimed 26 lives, prompting a series of retaliatory measures from New Delhi.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) issued a fresh Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) today, extending the airspace restrictions that have been in place since April 30. As per the NOTAM, the ban applies to all Pakistan-registered aircraft and any planes operated, owned, or leased by Pakistani airlines and operators, including military aircraft.
Originally, the ban was set to expire on May 24 but was extended until June 24. The latest extension pushes the closure date to July 24, signaling that diplomatic strains remain far from resolved.
The ban is part of a broader set of punitive actions taken by India following the April 22 terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam region, where 26 people were killed. The Indian government has blamed Pakistan-based groups for orchestrating the massacre and has responded with a range of countermeasures, including:
• Suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty
• Closure of the Attari land border, the only operational crossing between the two nations
• Downgrading of diplomatic ties
In a tit-for-tat move, Pakistan had also imposed a ban on Indian aircraft using its airspace, initially effective until May 24 and later extended to June 24. Islamabad has now also prolonged the ban until July 24, mirroring India’s latest directive.
Both countries’ reciprocal airspace restrictions are expected to disrupt regional aviation routes and increase operational costs for airlines that previously relied on these corridors.
The continued closure underscores the deepening rift between the two nuclear-armed neighbors, with no clear timeline yet for de-escalation or diplomatic resolution.
