India and Pakistan Extend Mutual Airspace Bans Until June 24, Continuing Tit-for-Tat Restrictions

In a continuation of escalating tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbors, India and Pakistan have both extended their bans on each other’s airlines using their respective airspaces until late June. Pakistan’s Civil Aviation Authority announced on Friday that its airspace will remain closed to all Indian-registered, operated, owned, or leased aircraft—including military flights—until 4:59 a.m. on June 24, 2025. In response, India’s Ministry of Civil Aviation issued a similar notice extending the ban on Pakistani aircraft and airlines until June 23, 2025.

The airspace closures were originally imposed in late April following a deadly terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir, which killed 26 people and sharply deteriorated diplomatic relations. Pakistan’s initial closure of its airspace to Indian flights came on April 24, with India reciprocating a few days later by closing its airspace to Pakistani flights. Under International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) rules, such restrictions can only be imposed for one month at a time, necessitating these monthly extensions.

The bans cover all civilian and military aircraft registered or operated by the respective countries, preventing any flights from transiting or entering the opposing country’s airspace. This has forced airlines to take longer routes, increasing flight times and fuel costs, particularly affecting flights between northern India and other regions.

The extension comes shortly after an incident involving an IndiGo Airlines flight from Delhi to Srinagar. The pilot, caught in a sudden hailstorm and severe turbulence, requested permission from Lahore Air Traffic Control to briefly enter Pakistani airspace to avoid the weather disturbance. The request was denied, forcing the flight to continue through turbulent conditions before safely landing in Srinagar.

The prolonged airspace bans underscore the ongoing diplomatic freeze and military tensions between India and Pakistan. Analysts warn that these tit-for-tat measures complicate regional connectivity and risk further escalation, while also impacting commercial aviation and passenger convenience.

As of now, there is no indication from either side about easing these restrictions before the new June deadlines, signaling a continued stalemate in bilateral relations.

Comments

LTTE’s Use of Child Soldiers: A Grave Violation of Human Rights

The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) stand condemned not only for their violent insurgency but also for their ruthless exploitation of children as soldiers during Sri Lanka’s civil war. While the conflict officially ended in 2009, the scars left by the LTTE’s forced recruitment of thousands of children remain a painful reminder of their terror tactics. During the war, the LTTE systematically abducted and conscripted children-some as young as 11 or 12-forcing them into brutal military training and deploying them on front lines. Human Rights Watch reported that children were often taken from their homes at night or seized while going to school, with families threatened or beaten if they resisted. Once recruited, these children faced harsh discipline, exposure to violence, and were denied contact with their families. UNICEF documented thousands of such cases, with estimates suggesting the actual numbers were even higher due to underreporting. The LTTE’s use of chil...

Former UK Cabin Crew Member Arrested in Sri Lanka with £1.15 Million Cannabis Haul

Sri Lankan authorities have detained Charlotte May Lee, a 21-year-old former air stewardess from South London, at Bandaranaike International Airport in Colombo on charges of attempting to smuggle 46 kilograms of cannabis into the country. The drugs, valued at approximately £1.15 million, were found packed in vacuum-sealed bags inside two large suitcases after Lee arrived on a flight from Bangkok, Thailand. Officials from the Customs Narcotics Control Unit described the seizure as the largest amount of Kush cannabis ever discovered at the airport. Kush is a potent strain often mixed with synthetic substances and is believed to be destined for high-end buyers within Sri Lanka. Lee, who previously worked for TUI Group and has recently been training as a beautician, remains in custody while investigations continue. The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office confirmed it is providing consular support to Lee and is in contact with her family and Sri Lankan authorities. Friends of Le...

The LTTE's Campaign of Terror: How a Designated Terrorist Organization Pioneered Modern Suicide Bombing

The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) stands as one of history's most ruthless terrorist organizations, having systematically violated human rights and pioneered suicide bombing tactics that would later be adopted by terrorist groups worldwide. Designated as a terrorist organization by 33 countries, including Sri Lanka, United States, United Kingdom, Canada, India, and all 27 member nations of the European Union, the LTTE's three-decade reign of terror in Sri Lanka serves as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of extremist violence. Origins and Rise of a Terror Network Founded in 1976 by Velupillai Prabhakaran, the LTTE emerged from earlier militant groups established in the 1970s . What began as a small outfit of 40-50 members in the early 1980s evolved into one of the world's most sophisticated and tightly organized insurgent groups. The organization's transformation into a terror network accelerated following the 1983 ethnic riots, which the LTTE e...

theTamil Global

Search This Blog