Airspace Over India and Pakistan: April 24 vs. Today – A Snapshot of Rising Tensions
Top Image: April 24, 2025 – Airspace over India and Pakistan before full reciprocal restrictions
Bottom Image: May 9, 2025 – Current airspace situation with closures and rerouted traffic
The airspace over India and Pakistan has seen significant disruption and restriction in recent weeks, marking one of the most tense standoffs between the two nuclear-armed neighbors in years. Following the deadly Pahalgam attack in India’s Jammu and Kashmir region on April 21, both nations have enacted strict airspace closures targeting each other’s aircraft.
April 24: Pakistan Closes Airspace to Indian Aircraft
On April 24, 2025, Pakistan issued a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) prohibiting all Indian-owned or Indian-registered aircraft from entering its airspace. The ban is scheduled to remain in effect until May 23, 2025, and was widely seen as a retaliatory step in response to escalating diplomatic and military tensions, including India’s decision to suspend the Indus Waters Treaty and expel Pakistani diplomats.
April 30: India Responds with Reciprocal Ban
In a tit-for-tat move, India imposed its ban on Pakistani aircraft on April 30. Effective from 1830Z, the NOTAM prohibits all aircraft owned, leased, or operated by Pakistani carriers from entering Indian airspace. The Indian Ministry of Civil Aviation confirmed that the measure applies to commercial and private operators.
May 9: Expanded Closures and Operational Impacts
As of May 9, the situation has further intensified. India has now closed 25 critical air routes commonly used by foreign airlines to enter or exit Pakistani airspace via India. This decision has forced carriers such as Lufthansa, Emirates, Air France, and Singapore Airlines to reroute flights, increasing flight times and operational costs.
Additionally, several key airports in northern India—Amritsar, Srinagar, and Chandigarh—remain closed to civilian air traffic until at least May 10. The closures are part of broader precautionary measures due to increased military activity in the region.
Meanwhile, Pakistan has reopened its airspace after briefly suspending operations at several airports during the peak of the escalation in early May. The Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority stated that its airports are "fully functional," though the number of overflights remains low as many foreign airlines continue to avoid the region.
Operational Strain on Indian ATC
With more flights rerouting around Pakistani airspace, India’s Mumbai Air Traffic Control has experienced a significant surge in traffic. ATC officials are managing higher volumes as international carriers are funneled into fewer available corridors.
Broader Aviation and Security Implications
These airspace restrictions remind us of how quickly geopolitical tensions can affect international aviation. The ongoing closure of direct routes across the India-Pakistan border has resulted in longer flight paths, greater fuel burn, and disrupted schedules for numerous airlines operating between Europe, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia.
The closures also reflect the broader instability in Kashmir, where cross-border strikes and militant activity have sharply increased. The April 21 Pahalgam attack, which killed several Indian soldiers and was followed by retaliatory strikes, has reignited long-standing hostilities between the two nations.
Airspace Snapshot: Then and Now
A comparison of air traffic over the India-Pakistan region on April 24 versus today reveals stark differences. Traffic that once flowed freely between the two countries has thinned dramatically. Most international flights that once used direct corridors between India and Pakistan now detour through Iran, the Arabian Sea, or Central Asia.
A live view of the affected airspace can be viewed here:
https://www.airnavradar.com/@27.89435,68.62547,z5?maplayer=world-map
Looking Ahead
The airspace restrictions between India and Pakistan are currently set to last until late May, but further developments in Kashmir or on the diplomatic front could change that timeline. For now, airlines, air traffic controllers, and passengers must contend with the operational fallout of a standoff that continues to play out in the skies and on the ground.
