Will India Continue Its Ban on Pakistani Aircraft Until August 23?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Ban on Pakistani aircraft extended until August 23, 2025.
- NOTAM issued to clear airspace for military operations.
- Indian Air Force conducting significant exercise in Rajasthan.
- Response to ongoing tensions between India and Pakistan.
- Safety of civilian flights prioritized amid military activities.
New Delhi, July 22 (NationPress) India has officially extended the ban on Pakistani aircraft from accessing its domestic airspace until August 23, 2025.
Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol announced via a post on X, stating, “A Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) has been issued to continue the restriction on Pakistani aircraft entering Indian airspace until 23rd August 2025.”
This decision underscores ongoing strategic considerations aligned with current security protocols. The minister advised the public to stay tuned for further developments.
This extension comes as a response to Pakistan's previous decision to restrict Indian flights from utilizing its airspace.
Pakistan's Airports Authority (PAA) recently declared that it has prolonged the closure of its airspace for Indian-operated airlines by another month, now lasting until August 24 at 5:19 AM (Indian time).
Additionally, a NOTAM has been issued for a significant Indian Air Force (IAF) exercise set to take place in Rajasthan, along the India-Pakistan border from July 23 to 25.
The IAF is preparing for a large-scale military operation in Rajasthan, spanning areas from Barmer to Jodhpur.
This region has experienced incursions from Pakistani drones and missiles during Operation Sindoor, which involved multiple drone strikes targeting Rajasthan’s Barmer, Jaisalmer, Bikaner, and Sri Ganganagar districts.
A NOTAM is issued to ensure civilian air traffic is cleared from specific airspaces. Similar notices have been released during previous tensions with Pakistan to prevent passenger aircraft from entering potential combat zones, thereby safeguarding civilian lives.
The current NOTAM is part of India's 'Operation Sindoor', initiated on May 7 in response to a terror attack in Pahalgam, where terrorists supported by Pakistan killed 26 innocent individuals.