Latest Development
Pakistan has announced another extension of its airspace closure for all Indian aircraft until October 23, according to the Pakistan Airports Authority. This marks the latest escalation in ongoing tensions between the two South Asian neighbors.
Current Restrictions
The new Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) prohibits:
Indian commercial airlines
India-registered aircraft
Indian military flights
All are barred from entering Pakistani airspace under the current restrictions.
Timeline of Events
The airspace closure stems from a series of escalating incidents between Pakistan and India:
Initial Closure: Pakistan first restricted its airspace for Indian airlines following India’s suspension of the Indus Water Treaty, which came after tensions over incidents in disputed Kashmir territory.
Reciprocal Action: India responded by closing its airspace to Pakistani airlines on April 30.
Extensions: Pakistan’s initial restriction was first extended on May 23, and now again until October 23, bringing the total duration to 210 days.
Military Escalation
The situation intensified in early May when both nations engaged in military actions:
India conducted strikes on May 6-7, targeting what it described as “terrorist targets”
Pakistan responded with “Operation Bunyan-um-Marsoos,” targeting what it called Indian military installations
The conflict lasted approximately 87 hours before a ceasefire was brokered by the United States on May 10
Economic Impact
The airspace restrictions have had varying effects on both countries’ aviation sectors:
India’s aviation industry has reportedly faced significant losses due to longer flight routes and operational disruptions
Pakistan’s aviation sector has experienced minimal impact from the restrictions
Historical Context
This is not unprecedented for the region. Pakistan has previously imposed similar airspace restrictions during:
The 1999 Kargil conflict
The 2019 Pulwama crisis
In both previous instances, aviation disruptions were more severe for India than Pakistan due to geographical and route considerations.
Current Status
As tensions remain high between the nuclear-armed neighbors, the airspace closure continues to affect regional aviation and serves as a significant diplomatic pressure point in the ongoing dispute.
