ISLAMABAD (PEN) : Pakistan has decided to extend the ban on Indian flights passing through its airspace by another month, following tensions between the two nations. This move comes after the National Security Committee (NSC) of Pakistan concluded that the airspace restrictions will remain in place due to ongoing security concerns.
Airspace Restrictions: Impact and Rationale
Pakistan’s decision to continue blocking Indian flights follows a similar measure imposed after India’s closure of Pakistani airspace on April 23, 2025. The initial ban, which impacted both commercial and military flights, was a response to India’s actions in Kashmir and subsequent hostilities. This extension is a part of ongoing diplomatic tensions following the deadly attack in Pahalgam, Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), which claimed the lives of 26 tourists in early April.
According to sources, the airspace restriction is expected to remain in place for at least another month. A Notice to Airmen (Notam) will be issued shortly to formalize the extension. Under international aviation regulations, airspace restrictions cannot be enforced for more than one month without periodic renewals.
The Pakistani government’s move aims to ensure national security and reflect the continued friction in the region, particularly after India’s unprovoked military actions on Pakistani soil in May.
Financial Losses for Indian Airlines
The impact of the ban on Indian airlines has been substantial. Over the past month, Indian carriers have incurred losses exceeding Rs 8 billion (approximately \$40 million). These losses are mainly attributed to additional fuel costs and rerouted flights. According to aviation industry experts, Indian airlines operating on long-haul routes have had to divert their planes significantly, resulting in extra flight hours, higher fuel consumption, and extended crew working hours.
With an average of 150 flights being rerouted daily, the additional fuel costs alone are reported to have exceeded Rs 5 billion. For instance, a Boeing 777 consumes about 6,668 kilograms of fuel per hour, and with the rising fuel prices, the cost burden has surged considerably.
In addition to increased fuel costs, airlines such as Air India, IndiGo, and Akasa Air have faced operational hurdles, including additional stopovers due to longer routes. These diversions have resulted in additional crew changes and incurred stopover-related costs, including landing fees, refueling charges, and other airport services, which have amounted to approximately Rs 3 billion in the past month.
Minimal Impact on Pakistan’s Aviation Sector
While the Indian aviation sector has been severely disrupted, Pakistan’s aviation industry has not faced the same level of financial strain. The only significant alteration in Pakistan’s flight operations is the rerouting of one eastbound flight through China. However, overall, Pakistan’s aviation sector remains relatively unaffected, with limited disruptions reported.
Ongoing Diplomatic Tensions
The extension of the airspace ban highlights the continuing diplomatic standoff between the two nuclear-armed neighbors. India’s airspace restrictions had already triggered Pakistan’s reciprocal measures, and tensions have continued to escalate with military skirmishes, including Pakistan’s retaliatory actions in May following India’s unprovoked attacks on several Pakistani cities.
As both countries continue to navigate these turbulent diplomatic waters, the extension of the airspace ban seems to signal that relations between India and Pakistan may remain tense for the foreseeable future. The continued closure of airspace also puts additional pressure on India’s aviation industry, with carriers such as Air India calling for government compensation due to the heavy financial burden caused by the rerouting of flights.
