NOTAM: India Bans Pakistani Aircraft from Its Airspace Until 23 May After Pahalgam Attack

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New Delhi: Following the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, the Indian government has closed its airspace to all aircraft associated with Pakistan, including commercial and military flights.

The move was formalised through a NOTAM (Notice to Airmen) issued by the Ministry of Civil Aviation on the late evening of 30 April.

According to the official notice (NOTAM ID: G0510/25), the airspace restriction applies across all major Indian Flight Information Regions (FIRs); Delhi (VIDF), Mumbai (VABF), Chennai (VOMF) and Kolkata (VECF).

The restriction, effective from 18:30 UTC on 30 April, will remain in force until 23:59 UTC on 23 May, unless extended.

The notification specifies that Indian airspace is not available to Pakistan-registered aircraft and aircraft operated, owned or leased by Pakistan airlines or operators, including military flights.

The geographic reference point mentioned is 28°34′N 077°07′E, with the restriction covering all altitudes from ground level to unlimited.

This development comes a week after terrorists took the lives of civilians in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam, resulting in 26 deaths. The Indian government has attributed the attack to Pakistan-backed terrorists and initiated a series of retaliatory measures.

Even before the official airspace ban, Pakistani airlines had reportedly begun avoiding Indian airspace due to fears of retaliation.

With the formal closure, it is now believed that the carriers from Pakistan will be forced to reroute via longer paths through Chinese or Sri Lankan airspace to reach destinations in Southeast Asia.

India’s response to the attack has also included the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, closure of the Integrated Check Post at the Attari-Wagah border, and cancellation of all visas issued to Pakistani nationals. Additionally, travel under the SAARC visa exemption scheme is no longer permitted for Pakistani citizens.

This is not the first time the two countries have enforced reciprocal airspace restrictions amid heightened tensions. Following the Pulwama attack in 2019, both India and Pakistan had temporarily closed sections of their airspace.

However, it should be noted that Pakistan has already imposed airspace restrictions on India last week, along with a set of aggressive countermeasures which include halting the 1972 Simla Agreement.