Pakistan airspace closed until May 11 for fear of an all-out war

Pakistan’s airspace will remain closed to all civilian and commercial flights until 12:00 pm on May 11, 2025, as the Civil Aviation Authority enforces safety measures amid escalating hostilities with India. The repeated airspace suspensions highlight the profound impact of the India-Pakistan conflict on aviation, passengers, and the broader economy.

The PCAA’s decision underlines the heightened security environment following:

• India’s strikes on three Pakistani airbases, which Islamabad says endangered civilian flights.

• Pakistan’s electronic-warfare operations, including satellite jamming and Fatah-II missile deployments against Indian targets.

This is the third airspace shutdown since late April, following India’s “Operation Sindoor” missile strikes and Pakistan’s subsequent “Operation Bunyanun Marsoos” last night.

Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) canceled over 150 flights during the latest suspension, advising passengers to confirm statuses before traveling to airports. Major carriers such as Emirates, Singapore Airlines, and KLM have been avoiding Pakistani airspace, opting for longer southern routes via the Arabian Sea, adding up to two hours to flight times on some routes.

In parallel, India shut 32 airports in its northern and western regions from May 9 to May 14, including Srinagar and Amritsar, as a reciprocal security measure.

The extended closures have driven up operational costs for airlines. Reuters estimates that Pakistan’s airspace ban last year cost Indian carriers over $60 million in additional fuel and crew expenses, a figure likely to rise if the current suspension persist.

Passengers have faced significant inconvenience, with hundreds stranded at Lahore and Islamabad airports and booking refunds overwhelming airline call centers.

Civil aviation authorities assert that keeping air corridors closed is necessary to prevent accidental incursions and ensure the safety of commercial aircraft operating near conflict zones.