CAA closes airspace to Indian aircraft for 1 month

Pakistan’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has officially issued a NOTAM (Notice to Airmen) announcing the closure of its airspace to Indian-registered airlines, following Islamabad’s decision to suspend overflight permissions in response to rising tensions with New Delhi.

This restriction also applies to any aircraft leased or operated by Indian carriers. The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) of Pakistan announced that the ban will stay in place for one month at first.

This decision means that Indian airlines cannot use Pakistani airspace during this period. The ban includes all types of flights from passenger to cargo whether they are operated by India’s air force, private airlines, or leased under Indian control.

The move will affect daily operations of Indian airlines, as they usually fly over Pakistan around 70 to 100 times each day. Flights from big Indian cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Goa, and Lucknow often use Pakistani airspace to travel to the Middle East, Europe, and other international destinations. Now, they will have to take longer alternative routes.Indian airlines such as Air India, Air India Express, IndiGo, SpiceJet, and Akasa Air will face delays and increased fuel consumption. This shift may add up to two hours of extra flying time for many routes. Aviation experts say this will also increase daily operational costs by millions of rupees.

This restriction is expected to create scheduling issues, reduce efficiency, and raise ticket prices for international travelers from India.

Airline companies are now adjusting their flight paths and timetables to handle the situation.For now, the restriction is temporary, but if it extends beyond one month, the financial and operational impact on Indian aviation could become more serious.