Pakistan/India Airspace Update

Update May 12

A ceasefire between India and Pakistan, announced on May 10, appears to be holding despite mutual accusations of violations.

We continue to advise caution, particularly over the Kashmir region and along the shared border where air defense activity could resume with little warning if hostilities were to restart.

Flight tracking indicates that nearly all operators are still avoiding the area, opting instead to reroute south via the Gulf of Oman and the UAE.

Pakistan has reopened all previously closed airways. India has reopened all previously closed airports. But both countries continue to prohibit each other’s aircraft from entering their respective airspace (Notams: VIDF G0510/25 and OPLR A0220/25).

Update May 7

India launched airstrikes on multiple locations in northern Pakistan early on May 7, leading to a broader exchange of fire and escalating tensions along the border. There were drone attacks on both sides the following night.

In India, VIAR/Amritsar, VISR/Srinagar and VICG/Chandigarh airports are closed to civil flights until May 10 as a precaution. In Pakistan, flights have now resumed at all airports that were temporarily closed on May 7, including OPLA/Lahore and OPIS/Islamabad.

Despite some media claims, Pakistan has not closed its entire airspace. Instead, several airways in the northern OPLR/Lahore FIR remain unavailable until May 10, although alternate routings are still possible.

These restrictions are listed on the Pakistan CAA Notams website, many of which are not mirrored on the FAA’s site, so it’s best to check the source directly for the latest updates.

However, most major airlines are now avoiding Pakistan’s airspace altogether, with east-west traffic diverting south via the Gulf of Oman and UAE. Given the uncertainty and potential for rapid escalation, this seems a sensible choice.

If the conflict continues, there is a chance that Pakistan could impose a full airspace closure, as they did from Feb to Aug 2019 under similar circumstances. Check SafeAirspace.net for any major updates to airspace risk.

Pakistan/India Airspace Update