After Pakistan blocked Indian airlines from using its airspace, India responded with a similar move. New Delhi has closed its skies to all planes owned, operated, or leased by Pakistan, including military aircraft. Both countries have restricted each other’s flights from flying over their airspace until 11:59 pm UTC on May 23 (5:29 am IST on May 24). This may change closer to the date. India issued an official notice saying that its airspace is not open to any aircraft registered in Pakistan or used by Pakistani airlines.

The latest airspace ban comes as tensions between India and Pakistan grow following a deadly terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, where 26 tourists were killed by terrorists linked to Pakistan.The attack was religiously motivated and took place shortly after a provocative speech by Pakistan’s army chief, General Asim Munir.

Relations between the two countries were already tense, and now they’ve worsened. Fearing possible military action from India, Pakistani flights had already started avoiding Indian airspace. But with India’s official ban now in place, Pakistani planes won’t be allowed to enter Indian airspace even if they try to.

Pakistan-bound flights to Southeast Asia and Oceania will now have to take longer routes to avoid Indian airspace, adding extra fuel costs and travel time, a heavy burden for Pakistan’s already financially struggling airlines.
India has responded strongly after the terror attack in Pahalgam by taking several strict measures: putting the Indus Waters Treaty on hold, expelling Pakistani military diplomats, shutting all border posts, and cancelling visas for Pakistani citizens.

In return, Pakistan has suspended trade with India, blocked Indian flights from its airspace, and hinted at cancelling key agreements like the Simla Agreement. Amid rising tensions, Pakistan fears military retaliation from India, which has vowed to go after the perpetrators of the attack and punish them in a way they “can’t even imagine.”

 

You might also be interested in -15-year-old boy forced to urinate on Pakistani flag in UP’s Aligarh after Pahalgam attack