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Pakistan closed its airspace for several hours on May 10 amid heightened regional tensions. India accused Islamabad of endangering civilians by keeping skies open during a failed missile and drone attack.
View of a Pakistan Airlines (PIA) passenger plane, taken through a glass panel, at Islamabad Airport, Pakistan. (Photo: Reuters/File)
UPDATED: May 10, 2025 04:59 IST
The Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority announced on Saturday that the country’s airspace will be closed to all types of flights between 3:15 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. local time on May 10, 2025.
The suspension, confirmed by the Pakistan Airports Authority, follows heightened regional tensions after reported missile attacks on Pakistani military installations.
No official reason was given for the airspace closure.
On Friday, India criticized Pakistan for keeping its airspace open during the initial offensive, accusing Islamabad of a deliberate attempt to use civilian aircraft as cover to deter an immediate counterstrike.
At a press briefing, Wing Commander Vyomika Singh of the Indian Air Force (IAF) said, “Pakistan refrained from shutting down its civil airspace despite carrying out an unprovoked and unsuccessful drone and missile attack on Indian cities. This shows a clear and dangerous tactic of using civilian airliners as shields, fully aware that India’s air defense forces would respond robustly.”
Published By:
Aashish Vashistha
Published On:
May 10, 2025
