New Delhi, Aug 23: In a continuing fallout of the Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed 26 lives on April 22, India has once again extended the closure of its airspace for Pakistani aircraft until September 24. The restriction, first imposed on April 30, applies to all flights owned, operated, or leased by Pakistani airlines and operators, including military aircraft.
A fresh Notice to Airmen (NOTAM), issued by Indian aviation authorities on August 22, confirmed that the ban will remain effective until 2359 hrs (UTC) on September 23, which translates to 5:30 am (IST) on September 24. The order is part of a set of stringent measures adopted by New Delhi against Pakistan in the aftermath of the April terror strike.
This monthly extension has now become routine. Originally scheduled to lapse on May 24, the restriction has been successively prolonged in one-month cycles, with the latest curbs that were due to end on August 24 now extended by another month.
Pakistan, in a tit-for-tat move, has also prolonged its airspace closure for Indian aircraft. A separate NOTAM issued by Islamabad on August 20 confirmed that Indian-registered aircraft and those owned or operated by Indian carriers will be barred from entering Pakistani airspace until the same date.
NOTAMs, widely used in international aviation, are formal notifications carrying essential updates for pilots and flight operators. The reciprocal closures by both countries have impacted military and commercial operations, underscoring how bilateral tensions continue to spill over into civil aviation channels.
Officials in New Delhi reiterated that the restrictions form part of India’s broader strategy to isolate Pakistan diplomatically and economically, following repeated instances of cross-border terrorism. The continued airspace ban, while symbolic, is also seen as a measure to exert sustained pressure on Islamabad while limiting operational flexibility of Pakistani carriers.