Pakistan partially closes Karachi, Lahore airspace till May 31 amid security concerns: Reports

NEW DELHI: Pakistan’s aviation authorities on Thursday temporarily closed parts of the airspace over the Karachi and Lahore Flight Information Regions (FIRs) from May 1 to May 31, 2025, citing security concerns, according to multiple Pakistani media reports.

A Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) issued by the Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA) said that designated sections of the airspace in these FIRs will remain closed daily from 4:00 AM to 8:00 AM throughout the month.

Aviation officials described the closure as a precautionary step, stressing that commercial flight operations will continue through alternate routes.

While air traffic controllers have been instructed to ensure smooth navigation for scheduled flights, the Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has cancelled six round-trip flights as part of operational adjustments.

These include Islamabad to Gilgit flights PK-601, PK-603, and PK-605; Islamabad to Skardu flight PK-451; and Gilgit to Islamabad flights PK-602 and PK-604.

The airspace closure comes against the backdrop of heightened regional tensions post the Pahalgam terror attack in India that claimed the lives of 26 tourists.