Despite the ceasefire between Pakistan and India following a recent escalation in tensions, 32 Indian airports remained closed and over 100 international flights were cancelled, resulting in significant losses to the Indian economy.
While Pakistan reopened its airspace and resumed flight operations shortly after the ceasefire, reportedly following mediation by the United States, India has yet to lift its airspace restrictions.
Following the announcement of a ceasefire between India and Pakistan on Saturday, Islamabad has withdrawn its earlier decision to close Pakistani airspace to civil aircraft operations. This change was confirmed in a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) issued by the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA) on Saturday evening, effectively cancelling previous notices that had closed the airspace until 12:00 PM (Pakistan time) on Sunday, May 11.
The initial NOTAMs were issued earlier on Saturday after a sharp escalation in military tensions between the two countries, which included overnight and early morning strikes on each other’s military installations. Pakistan had first closed its airspace from 3:15 AM to noon on Saturday, later extending the closure through Sunday. However, the new evening NOTAM rescinded those restrictions.
Despite the reopening, a separate ban imposed on Indian airlines and aircraft from using Pakistani airspace—effective since the evening of April 24—remains in force, with its status still listed as “Valid” on the PCAA database. India’s reciprocal ban on Pakistani airlines and aircraft entering Indian airspace also continues to stand.
Additionally, India had earlier announced the temporary closure of 32 airports in northern and western regions to civil aviation, a measure that remains in effect until 5:29 AM IST on May 15.
