NEW DELHI: In a significant escalation of airspace restrictions, India has barred all aircraft operated by Pakistan—civilian and military—from entering its airspace, effective midnight between April 30 and May 1. The ban, which extends until May 23, 2025, was formally announced through a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) issued late Wednesday.
The restriction applies to all aircraft registered in Pakistan or owned, operated, or leased by Pakistani airlines or operators, including the military. As per the NOTAM, the entire Indian airspace—from ground level to unlimited altitude—across its major Flight Information Regions (Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, and Kolkata) is closed to such flights.
NOTAM Reference G0510/25:
“INDIAN AIRSPACE NOT AVBL FOR PAKISTAN REGISTERED ACFT AND ACFT OPERATED/OWNED OR LEASED BY PAKISTAN AIRLINES/OPERATORS INCLUDING MILITARY FLIGHTS.”
Effective: April 30, 2025, 18:30 IST to May 23, 2025, 23:59 IST (estimated)
Altitude: Ground to unlimited
This move follows Pakistan’s April 24 decision to ban all Indian-registered aircraft, including commercial, charter, and private jets, from its own airspace starting 6 PM IST that day.
The mutual restrictions have forced Indian carriers—particularly those operating out of Delhi, Amritsar, Chandigarh, and Lucknow—to take longer alternative routes for westbound flights, increasing fuel consumption and flight times.
