India Shuts Airspace: What It Means for Pakistan’s Flights and Costs
India has taken a strong retaliatory step by closing its airspace to all Pakistani aircraft—both commercial and military—following the deadly Pahalgam terror attack that left 26 people dead. The airspace ban, which is in effect from April 30 to May 23, 2025, escalates the ongoing tensions between the two countries and has significant implications for Pakistani aviation operations.
The move is a direct response to the recent attack, which India attributes to Pakistan-based terrorist groups. In a clear tit-for-tat gesture, India issued a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) closing its airspace to any aircraft registered, operated, or leased by Pakistan, making this one of the most significant restrictions on air traffic between the two nations in recent years. Pakistani aircraft, including those of the national carrier, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), will now be forced to reroute flights, particularly those heading to Southeast Asia and the Far East, through alternative airspaces such as those of China or Sri Lanka.
For Pakistan’s aviation sector, this ban is expected to cause substantial disruptions. Flight durations will increase by one to two hours on many routes, particularly those that previously crossed Indian airspace. This extra travel time will require more fuel, extend crew duty periods, and may force PIA to reduce flight frequencies or even reschedule certain services. These operational challenges come at a time when PIA, already struggling with financial difficulties, is facing heightened pressure.
Aviation experts anticipate that these rerouted flights will lead to significantly higher operating costs, which could have ripple effects throughout Pakistan’s aviation industry. The added fuel costs, extended flight durations, and the need for increased staffing will further strain PIA, which operates a modest fleet of 32 aircraft. In comparison, India’s major carriers such as IndiGo, with 372 aircraft, and Air India, with over 200 aircraft, are much better equipped to absorb such operational challenges.
This move also highlights the broader geopolitical impact of the Pahalgam attack. Following the tragedy, India has already taken several punitive actions against Pakistan, including suspending the Indus Waters Treaty, revoking Pakistani visas, and downgrading diplomatic relations. These measures have created an increasingly hostile environment for cross-border interactions.
Before the formal NOTAM, Pakistani aircraft had already begun avoiding Indian airspace due to fears of retaliation. With the new directive now in place, Pakistan’s airlines have no choice but to accept longer and more costly routes. The closure of Indian airspace mirrors Pakistan’s own move in 2019 when it shut its skies to Indian flights after the Balakot airstrike, carried out by India in response to the Pulwama terror attack.
As the two nations continue to clash diplomatically, the airspace ban is a reminder of the far-reaching consequences of military and political tensions, which are now playing out in the skies.
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