The Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA) has clarified that while there are scheduled flight suspensions for Independence Day preparations, Islamabad International Airport closed periods will be brief and only at specific times. The closure is to facilitate Pakistan Air Force (PAF) flypast rehearsals for the 14th August 2025 parade.
According to the Notice to Airmen (NOTAM), the Islamabad International Airport closed times will be:
- August 6–9 and August 11–14 — Arrivals and departures suspended daily from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM PST.
- August 9 and 11 — Additional closures from 8:00 PM to 10:00 PM PST.
Outside these hours, flight operations will continue as normal. Passengers should confirm schedules with airlines to avoid inconvenience.
Lahore Airport Temporary Runway Closure
Separately, Lahore’s Allama Iqbal International Airport runway will remain closed daily from 5:00 AM to 8:00 AM between July 1 and September 15, 2025 due to bird activity during the monsoon. This is unrelated to Islamabad International Airport closed schedules for the Independence Day event.
Reason for Independence Day Flight Suspensions
Pakistan’s 77th Independence Day will be marked under the theme “Marka-i-Haq” (Battle of Truth). The PAF flypast requires restricted airspace over the capital, making temporary Islamabad International Airport closed timings necessary for safety.
In early 2025, during a conflict between Pakistan and India, airspace closures resulted in a 20 percent decline in air traffic, cancellation of 100-150 Indian transit flights every day, and an Rs4.1 billion loss to the PAA. The closure schedule released this year at Islamabad International Airport will attempt to disrupt as little as possible, with a minimum of short, pre-announced closures.
Public Travel Advice for Islamabad Airport
- Monitor official Islamabad airport news updates.
- Arrive early if your flight is near the Islamabad International Airport closed time slots.
- Avoid relying on unverified reports.
 has clarified that while there are scheduled flight suspensions for Independence Day preparations, Islamabad International Airport closed periods will be brief and only at specific times. The closure is to facilitate Pakistan Air Force (PAF) flypast rehearsals for the 14th August 2025 parade.){kind=link}