On Wednesday, India closes Airspace to Pakistan airlines as a response to rising tensions following the recent terror attack in Pahalgam. This decision prohibits aircraft registered in Pakistan, as well as those owned or leased by Pakistani operators, from using Indian airspace. The ban also extends to military aircraft from Pakistan, according to a senior government official.
The Airports Authority of India (AAI) released a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) concerning this limitation, which will be in place until May 23. The prohibition is scheduled to commence at midnight on Thursday.
Typically, NOTAMs provide crucial information for those involved in aviation operations. This latest action is part of a series of measures taken by the Indian government in response to the Pahalgam attack, which resulted in the deaths of 28 individuals. This move follows Pakistan’s recent closure of its airspace to Indian flights.
Currently, there are no direct flights between India and Pakistan, but Pakistani airlines often utilize Indian airspace for routes to destinations such as Singapore and Malaysia.
A chief air traffic controller mentioned that there is not a significant number of flights from Pakistani airlines that operate within Indian airspace. Following the Pahalgam attack on April 23, India implemented several punitive actions against Pakistan, including the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, the closure of the Attari land border crossing, and a downgrade in diplomatic relations due to alleged cross-border connections to the attack.
In retaliation, Pakistan closed its airspace to Indian airlines and halted all trade with India, including through third-party countries. Pakistan has opposed India’s decision to suspend the Indus Waters Treaty, asserting that any move to obstruct water flow would be viewed as an “act of war.”
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