Pakistan has extended the airspace closure for Indian flights by another month—a decision expected to inflict significant financial losses on Indian airlines.
This decision will be made official by a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) which will be issued later in the day.
The NOTAM will provide certain points on the further prohibition of the Indian air traffic which was initially introduced on the basis of the unresolved tension between two countries. Restriction is set in a bid to secure the Pakistani airspace.
The ban will be imposed on Indian aircraft, but the lanes will be opened on the Pakistani airspace to other international flights.
Pakistan had initially shut its airspace to Indian aircraft on April 24 and this was initially extended by a month later on May 23.
Following the Pahalgam attack, which increased tensions between the two nations, this limitation was first put into place on April 24.
Media reports state that the airspace embargo has cost Indian airlines ₹8 billion in losses in just one month. Of this, ₹3 billion came from the additional stopover costs necessary for lengthier flight itineraries, while ₹5 billion was ascribed to rising fuel prices.
Notably Pakistan imposed air space ban on Indian airlines after India’s suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty.
On May 10, Pakistan and India agreed to a ceasefire following international pressure urging both sides to de-escalate rising tensions.
