New Delhi, July 23: India has officially extended its ban on Pakistani aircraft from entering Indian airspace until August 24, 2025, as part of an ongoing series of security and diplomatic measures in response to the April 22 terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam, which claimed 26 lives.
According to the latest Notice to Airmen (NOTAM), aircraft operated, owned, or leased by Pakistan—both civilian and military—will continue to be barred from Indian airspace. The restriction remains in effect until 2359 hours UTC on August 23, corresponding to 0530 IST on August 24.
Confirming the extension, Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol stated on social media late Tuesday evening that the decision reflects “continued strategic considerations” and aligns with “prevailing national security protocols.”
India first enforced the airspace restriction on April 30, days after the Pahalgam attack. Initially set to expire on May 24, the ban was subsequently extended multiple times—first to June 24, then July 24, and now through August 24. The move is part of a broader policy response that also includes the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty and diplomatic downgrades with Islamabad.
In a tit-for-tat response, Pakistan also renewed its airspace ban on Indian aircraft until August 24. Islamabad had first imposed the restriction on April 24 and has since extended it three times, mirroring New Delhi’s decisions.
The mutual airspace closures have affected international flight paths and underline the persisting tension between the two nuclear-armed neighbors. Security analysts note that both countries are leveraging airspace restrictions as symbolic and strategic tools amid deteriorating bilateral relations.
