India closed its airspace to Pakistani airlines on April 30, 2025, in response to rising tensions with Pakistan after the Pahalgam terror attack. A NOTAM (Notice to Airmen) was issued to enforce the ban.
This action followed Pakistan's earlier ban on Indian carriers using its airspace a week prior.
Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) cancelled all flights to and from Gilgit and Skardu in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir due to security concerns. This included multiple flights from Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad.
Pakistan intensified airspace monitoring and placed all airports on high alert, increasing security and surveillance measures.
The actions by both countries reflect the heightened security concerns and escalating tensions between India and Pakistan.
A Pakistan International Airlines passenger plane sits on the tarmac at the Islamabad International Airport. File | Photo Credit: Reuters
India on Wednesday (April 30, 2025) banned Pakistan airlines from using its airspace amid escalating tensions with the neighbouring country in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack.
Sources said that a NOTAM (Notice to Airmen) has been issued that bars Pakistan airlines from using the Indian airspace.
The development comes a week after Pakistan barred Indian carriers from using its airspace.
Meanwhile, Pakistan’s national carrier on Wednesday (April 30, 2025) cancelled all flights to and from Gilgit, Skardu and other northern areas in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir due to security reasons, local media reports said.
Citing the flight schedule, Urdu daily Jang reported that the Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) cancelled two flights each from Karachi and Lahore to Skardu.
Two flights from Islamabad to Skardu and four flights from Islamabad to Gilgit have also been cancelled, the paper said, quoting aviation sources.
Pakistan has intensified monitoring of its airspace amid heightened security concerns over tensions with India, the Express Tribune newspaper reported.
“For security reasons, all commercial flights scheduled to operate to and from Gilgit and Skardu on Wednesday have been cancelled,” the paper reported.
Officials said the measures are precautionary and aimed at ensuring national airspace security during the regional tension.
Pakistani authorities have also placed all airports under high alert, significantly ramping up security and surveillance protocols, the paper added.
Published - April 30, 2025 11:08 pm IST
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