The story so far
Following the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, India suspended the Indus Waters Treaty and took other steps against Pakistan.
Pakistan responded by closing its airspace to Indian aircraft from April 24 to May 23.
India followed with a similar notice on April 30, also effective until May 23.
What happened after the hostilities?
After India conducted Operation Sindoor (May 7–10), Pakistan reopened its airspace.
Some foreign airlines resumed overflights.
Both countries later reissued notices: Pakistan closed its airspace to Indian aircraft till June 24, and India to Pakistani aircraft till June 23.
Is there a history of airspace closure?
In the 1950s, India opposed Pakistan's "prohibited zone" along its border as discriminatory.
After the 1965 war, overflights resumed following a bilateral agreement.
In 1971, India banned civilian overflights after a hijacked Indian plane was destroyed in Lahore.
India and Pakistan signed a memorandum in 1976 to resume overflights.
Similar airspace closures happened after the Kargil war (1999), Parliament attack (2001), and Balakot strikes (2019).
Is there an estimate of the losses?
Indian aviation sector losses in 2025 could be around ₹7,000 crore, including cargo disruptions.
What were the airspace changes in 2025?
32 airports across north and west India were temporarily closed.
25 air traffic route segments in Delhi and Mumbai regions were also closed.
Flights were rerouted through alternative routes managed by various air traffic controls.
On May 7, nearly 500 flights moved from Indian airspace to Pakistan; 20% were Indian flights.
Air traffic was redirected from 12 India-Pakistan waypoints to 6 India-Muscat waypoints.
Standard flight safety procedures were followed to manage congestion.
Few rerouting options exist via China due to strict airspace rules and high mountain terrain, increasing flight time and cost.
Will international aviation law hold?
International aviation law allows for dispute resolution but depends heavily on political will and mutual cooperation to be effective.
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