ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has extended the closure of its airspace for Indian aircraft until January 27, 2026, that has been in place since April last year amid ongoing bilateral tensions.
According to a fresh Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) issued by the Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA) on Wednesday, all aircraft registered in India remain barred from using Pakistani airspace.
The restriction applies to flights operated by Indian airlines as well as military and civilian aircraft owned or leased by India.
Pakistan initially closed its skies to Indian flights on 23 April 2025 after the Pahalgam incident in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir.
Following the incident, India levelled unfounded allegations against Pakistan, which escalated into a conflict between the two nuclear-armed neighbours.
Despite a ceasefire reached through US mediation earlier this year, the restrictions on air travel have remained in effect.
The PAA had previously extended the ban until 25 December. “Pakistan’s airspace will continue to remain closed for Indian-registered aircraft,” the Pakistan Airports Authority said in a statement.
The continued closure has disrupted Indian airlines’ operations, particularly on westbound routes to Europe and North America.
Indian carriers have been forced to adopt longer flight paths that bypass Pakistan, resulting in higher fuel costs and extended travel times.
According to Indian media reports, the restrictions have already caused financial losses running into billions of rupees for both state-run and private airlines.
