Pakistan airspace ban on Indian aircraft extended until January 23
Pakistan has extended restrictions on Indian aircraft, keeping its airspace closed to Indian-registered flights until January 23, 2026, the Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA) announced on Wednesday.
The extension comes as the earlier deadline for the restriction was set to expire on December 24. A fresh Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) has now been issued, confirming the continuation of the ban under existing terms.
Under the renewed restrictions, all civilian aircraft owned, operated, or leased by Indian airlines remain barred from using Pakistan’s airspace. The ban also applies to Indian military aircraft, maintaining a complete prohibition on Indian aviation traffic through Pakistani territory.
According to the NOTAM, the restriction covers both of Pakistan’s Flight Information Regions (FIRs) — Karachi and Lahore — and will remain in force until January 23, 2026, subject to further review.
Pakistan and India have kept their airspaces closed to each other’s airlines since late April, when tensions escalated following a deadly attack in Pahalgam in Indian-occupied Kashmir that left 26 people dead. The incident triggered renewed diplomatic strain between the two nuclear-armed neighbours.
The airspace closure has had operational and financial implications for Indian carriers, forcing longer flight routes, increased fuel costs, and extended travel times, particularly for flights bound for Europe, the Middle East, and North America.
Pakistan Airspace Ban on Indian Planes Extended Till August 23 Amid Tensions
Pakistani authorities have reiterated that the airspace ban is linked to prevailing regional security concerns and will remain in place until circumstances allow for a review of the decision.
The Pakistan airspace ban on Indian aircraft continues to be one of several measures reflecting strained bilateral relations, with no immediate signs of de-escalation between Islamabad and New Delhi.
