Pakistan Reopens Airspace After Ceasefire With India, Ban on Indian Flights Remains

Updated on 2025-05-12T17:02:16+05:30

Pakistan Reopens Airspace After Ceasefire With India, Ban on Indian Flights Remains

Pakistan Reopens Airspace After Ceasefire With India, Ban on Indian Flights Remains

Following the announcement of a ceasefire between India and Pakistan on Saturday, the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA) lifted the suspension of its airspace for civil aviation operations. The change was confirmed through an updated Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) issued on Saturday evening, effectively nullifying earlier NOTAMs that had declared a full airspace closure until 12 p.m. Pakistan time (12:30 p.m. IST) on May 11 due to heightened tensions.

However, the restriction barring Indian airlines and aircraft from entering Pakistani airspace, initially imposed on April 24, remains in effect. The reciprocal ban from India on Pakistani aircraft also continues.

The airspace closure was prompted by a sharp escalation in hostilities between the two nations, including reciprocal strikes on military installations. Initially, Pakistan closed its airspace to all traffic from 3:15 a.m. to noon on Saturday, later extending it until Sunday.

India had earlier closed 32 airports across the north and west until May 15 in response to Pakistani drone and missile attacks, and expanded the list following further attacks. Notably, India criticized Pakistan for allowing civilian flights near the conflict zone, accusing it of using them as “shields.” Tensions further escalated after India launched precision airstrikes on six Pakistani military sites.