Pakistan partially closes airspace in Karachi, Lahore

Pakistan’s aviation authorities have announced the temporary closure of specific sections of airspace within the Karachi and Lahore Flight Information Regions (FIRs) for the month of May.

The Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA) has issued a new Notice to Airmen (NOTAM), stating that designated parts of the airspace in both cities will be closed daily from 4:00 AM to 8:00 AM, starting May 1 through May 31, 2025.

According to aviation sources, the closure has been implemented for security-related reasons.

Despite these restrictions, commercial flight operations will continue through alternative routes. Air traffic controllers have been instructed to guide aircraft accordingly to ensure the continued smooth flow of air traffic.

Authorities reassured the public that flight schedules will remain largely unaffected, and flights are expected to operate as per routine, with only minor adjustments due to the temporary airspace limitations.