Pakistan has extended the ban on Indian aircraft using its airspace until June 24.
Pakistan has chosen to extend its no-fly rule on Indian aircraft, both civilian and military, for another month. The restriction, first announced on April 24, will now remain active until June 24. In a Friday statement, Pakistan’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) confirmed that no Indian-operated flight will be allowed through its airspace during this period.
This development comes after a fierce four-day military exchange triggered by an attack on tourists in Indian-held Kashmir. India blamed Pakistan for backing the attackers — a claim Pakistan denied, urging for an independent probe instead.
Kashmir Tensions Keep Air Routes Disrupted
The fighting saw missile strikes, drones, and heavy shelling, leading to over 70 casualties. While a ceasefire was achieved on May 10, tensions have stayed high. Both countries, still recovering from the violent standoff, are now enforcing mutual airspace bans. India’s restriction on Pakistani flights also runs until June 23.
This situation has led to serious disruptions. Flights from India heading to Europe, Central Asia, or the US now take longer routes, adding up to two hours to some journeys. Experts warn this could cause fuel costs to rise, leading to more expensive tickets for travelers.
This isn’t the first time such a ban has caused trouble. Back in 2019, Pakistan shut its airspace for nearly five months after Indian airstrikes in response to another deadly Kashmir attack. During that time, Indian airlines lost close to 5.5 billion rupees.
Kashmir — the region both nations claim but only partly control — has remained the root of their decades-long conflict since 1947. As long as mistrust remains and diplomacy stalls, quick peace seems far from reach.
