No Airspace for Pak Planes: India Extends NOTAM, Banning Pakistani Aircraft in Indian Skies
India has extended the NOTAM, banning Pakistani aircraft in Indian skies Image Courtesy: Representative picture made using Canva)
The ripple effect of India’s retaliatory Operation Sindoor are still continuing, as the ban on entry of any Pakistani aircraft has been extended further. The Ministry of Civil Aviation has issued the NOTAM (Notice To Airmen), which means Indian airspace will be closed for Pakistan-registered, operated, owned or leased aircraft.
India has extended the ban on entry for aircraft from Pakistan till August 23, which has been in effect since the launch of Operation Sindoor. Issued before this, the previous NOTAM was to set to expire on Thursday (July 24).
The civil aviation ministry had on June 24, announced a month-long extension of the NOTAM while India’s first NOTAM was in place from May 1 to May 23.
Why has India extended the NOTAM?
Short for Notice to Airmen, the NOTAM restricting Pakistani aircraft from entering Indian airspace has been officially extended till 2359 hrs (UTC) on August 23, 2025, Union MoS for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Moho informed on X. He said this extension reflects continued strategic considerations.
India’s extended NOTAM is in line with prevailing security protocols. This extension comes in the wake of the recent India-Pakistan conflict, following the ghastly April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, in which over two dozen civilians were killed. In response to the attack, India had shut its skies for any Pakistani aircraft.
Pakistan too has closed its airspace for any Indian aircraft and last week extended its airspace ban for another month. The restriction, initially temporary, will now remain effective until 5:19 am IST on August 24. This continued closure impacts all flights operated by Indian carriers.
Are India and Pakistan conducting air drills?
Amid NOTAM issued by both sides, it is worth mentioning here that the Indian Air Force (IAF) is conducting air combat exercise in Rajasthan near the India-Pakistan border from July 23 to 25. This significant military exercise will span regions from Barmer to Jodhpur, as per media reports.
During Operation Sindoor, Pakistani drones and missiles had breached Indian airspace, striking Barmer, Jaisalmer, Bikaner, and Sri Ganganagar districts in Rajasthan.
What is NOTAM?
A Notice to Airmen is released to clear certain airspace of civilian aircraft. Comparable alerts were shared during prior tensions with Pakistan to prevent passenger jets from entering areas of potential military engagement. This measure safeguards civilian lives by diverting commercial planes from conflict zones.
On April 24, Pakistan restricted its airspace for India until May 24, following India’s suspension of the Indus Water Treaty with Pakistan.
