Pakistan has extended its airspace ban on Indian airlines and military aircraft for another month, in the wake of the worst outbreak of violence between the two nuclear-armed neighbours in decades. The ban, which was initially imposed on April 24th, will now remain in place until the early hours of June 24th, according to a statement from Pakistan’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) released on Friday.
“No flight operated by Indian airlines or operators will be allowed to use Pakistani airspace,” the CAA declared, adding that the restriction applies to both civilian and military aircraft.
The move comes after a brief but intense military confrontation between India and Pakistan that erupted following a deadly attack on a group of tourists in Indian-administered Kashmir, an incident New Delhi alleges was orchestrated with the backing of Islamabad. Pakistan has strongly denied any involvement and has called for an independent investigation into the attack.
The conflict spiraled into four days of missile strikes, drone attacks, and artillery fire, resulting in the deaths of over 70 people. A ceasefire was reached on May 10th, but diplomatic relations remain fraught, with both nations enforcing reciprocal airspace bans. India’s ban on Pakistani aircraft, issued in late April, is currently set to expire on June 23rd.
Kashmir, a majority-Muslim region in the Himalayas, remains at the heart of the long-standing hostilities between India and Pakistan. Both countries claim the territory in full but control only parts of it. Since their independence from British rule in 1947, India and Pakistan have fought several wars, with Kashmir being the flashpoint in most of them.
The airspace restrictions are already having significant logistical and financial consequences. Flights between India and destinations in Central Asia, Europe, and North America are being rerouted, adding up to two hours of extra flying time. Aviation experts warn that these extended routes may lead to higher fuel consumption and increased ticket prices.
India has prior experience with such disruption. In 2019, when Pakistan shut its airspace in response to Indian airstrikes following a deadly terror attack in Kashmir, Indian airlines reportedly suffered losses amounting to approximately 5.5 billion rupees ($64.3 million) over a nearly five-month closure.
As the bans continue, pressure is mounting on both governments to de-escalate tensions and return to diplomatic dialogue. However, with deep mistrust on both sides and unresolved disputes over Kashmir, a quick resolution appears unlikely.
Written By Rodney Mbua
