ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has extended the closure of its airspace for Indian aircraft until December 23, 2025, amid ongoing tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbouring countries.
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 following 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 continued suspension has compelled Indian airlines to take longer alternate routes, leading to reported losses of billions of rupees because of higher fuel use and operational delays.
Air India is lobbying the Indian government to request Chinese approval for flights over a sensitive military airspace zone in Xinjiang, as the airline faces mounting financial pressures from Pakistan’s closure of its airspace to Indian carriers.
According to Reuters, quoting a company document reviewed by it, the appeal comes just weeks after India-China direct flights resumed following a five-year suspension after the 2020 Himalayan border clash.
The Pakistan airspace closure has sharply increased fuel costs by up to 29% and extended some long-haul journeys by up to three hours.
The airline estimates the closure has slashed its profit before tax by $455 million annually—a sum higher than its fiscal 2024-25 loss of $439 million.
The airspace in question is located above some of the world’s highest mountains and falls under China’s People’s Liberation Army Western Theatre Command, which manages both military and civilian operations.
