Pakistan Renews Airspace Ban on Indian Aircraft Amid Ongoing Tensions

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Pakistan has once again extended its ban on Indian aircraft entering its airspace, prolonging a restriction that has added pressure to regional diplomatic tensions and caused significant financial strain for Indian airlines.

The latest extension, which began at 3:20 p.m. on July 18 and will remain in effect until 4:59 a.m. on August 24 (Pakistan Standard Time), was confirmed by the Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA). The restriction applies to all aircraft registered in India, as well as those leased by Indian carriers or operated under Indian aviation authorities.

This is not the first time Pakistan has imposed such measures. The move follows a recent escalation in hostilities between the two neighboring nuclear powers after the April 22 attack on civilians in Indian-administered Kashmir. While the perpetrators have yet to be conclusively identified, tensions in the region have steadily intensified, with Islamabad responding by hardening its stance, including through punitive aviation restrictions.

The prolonged closure has added significant logistical burdens to Indian airlines, forcing them to reroute flights bound for Europe, the Middle East, and North America. According to industry estimates, these longer flight paths are costing Indian carriers millions in additional fuel and operational expenses, not to mention delays and reduced competitiveness on global routes.

While Pakistan justifies the decision as a matter of national security, critics argue the move is politically motivated and disproportionately aimed at hampering India’s economic and diplomatic outreach. “This is a calculated provocation under the guise of sovereignty,” said an aviation analyst quoted by The Economic Times. “There are legitimate security concerns, but continuing to penalize civilian aviation raises serious questions.”