Syllabus : GS3/Internal Security, GS2/IR
In short :
Trigger: April 22 Pahalgam Terror Attack
Period: April 24 – May 23, 2025
India’s Response: Suspension of Indus Waters Treaty
Pakistan’s Retaliation: NOTAM issued to close airspace for Indian aircraft.
What is NOTAM?
Notice to Airmen (NOTAM):
- An official advisory issued to alert pilots about airspace restrictions, route closures, or hazards.
- In India, NOTAMs are issued by the Airports Authority of India (AAI) and shared globally through aviation networks.
How many times has the India-Pakistan Airspace been closed before?
What are the estimated losses?
| Year | 🇮🇳 India Losses | 🇵🇰 Pakistan Losses |
| 2002 | Air India ₹40 CrIndian Airlines ₹3.4 CrAAI ₹5 Cr | ~5x India’s loss (as per Indian Civil Aviation Ministry) |
| 2019 | ₹548.93 Cr (Indian carriers) | ~$50 million(loss of Asia–Europe overflight revenue) |
| 2025 | ₹7,000 Cr (projected for full aviation sector incl. cargo) | $2,32,000/day (overflight charges)$3,00,000/day (with landing, parking, navigation fees) |
What are the operational changes in 2025
- 32 airports in North & West India: temporarily shut.
- 25 ATS route segments in Delhi/Mumbai FIRs: marked unavailable (from ground level to unlimited altitude).
- Air traffic rerouted via Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Kolkata, Nagpur, Chennai ATC zones.
- Only 6 shared waypoints used (vs. usual 12), mostly rerouted via Muscat FIR.
- China route avoided due to rigid structure & safety issues over mountainous terrain.
| Legal Framework: Toothless Without Political Will While ICAO and international aviation law provide dispute resolution frameworks, their effectiveness hinges on bilateral political will—highlighting the geopolitical nature of airspace control. |
| UPSC RelevanceGS2: India–Pakistan relations, treaty diplomacyGS3: Internal Security, Economic implications of geopoliticsEssay: “In modern warfare, skies are not just a battlefield—they’re a message.” |