Islamabad: Pakistan has extended its airspace restrictions on Indian aircraft for another month, requiring Indian carriers to continue avoiding the country’s skies until November 24, 2026. The restrictions apply to aircraft registered in India, as well as planes owned, operated or leased by Indian airlines. Military flights are also included in the ban.
The Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA) announced the extension on Saturday through a post on X. The revised restriction is scheduled to remain in force until 4:59 am local time on November 24.
According to Geo News, a PAA spokesperson confirmed that a fresh Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) had been issued to formalise the extension. The latest decision continues a restriction that has been renewed repeatedly since it was first introduced in April 2025.
When Did Pakistan Impose The Airspace Restrictions?
Pakistan introduced the ban on Indian aircraft on April 23, 2025, following a sharp deterioration in relations between New Delhi and Islamabad. The restrictions came after the deadly terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which triggered a series of diplomatic and aviation-related measures between the two countries.
India accused Pakistan of involvement in the attack, while Islamabad rejected the allegation. As tensions escalated, India announced its own airspace restrictions on Pakistani airlines on April 30, 2025.
Both countries have subsequently continued their respective restrictions through periodic extensions. Pakistan’s latest announcement means Indian aircraft will remain barred from its airspace for another month under the terms of the renewed notice.
Which Parts Of Pakistan’s Airspace Are Affected?
The restriction covers both of Pakistan’s flight information regions (FIRs): Karachi and Lahore. These regions are used to organise and manage air traffic within designated areas.
The ban is not limited to passenger aircraft directly registered in India. It also covers aircraft owned, operated or leased by Indian airlines, along with military flights, according to the PAA announcement.
The latest extension therefore continues to affect the airspace available to Indian aviation operators when planning routes that would otherwise cross Pakistan.
What Does The Ban Mean For International Flights?
The continued closure can require airlines to redraw flight paths when Pakistani airspace would normally provide a direct or shorter route. Depending on the destination and the alternative corridors available, aircraft may have to travel farther to reach their destinations.
Longer routes can increase fuel consumption, operating expenses and flight duration. They may also affect aircraft scheduling and the planning of connecting services. The extent of the impact varies by route, so the extension does not mean every international flight operated by an Indian airline will face a longer journey.
The restrictions are particularly relevant to services connecting India with destinations west of the country, where access to Pakistani airspace can influence route planning.
Have India And Pakistan Imposed Similar Bans Before?
Airspace restrictions have been used during earlier periods of military and diplomatic tension between the neighbours. Pakistan also restricted Indian aircraft during previous crises, including the 1999 Kargil conflict and the 2019 Pulwama crisis, according to Geo News.
The latest extension keeps aviation restrictions in place more than a year after the Pahalgam attack intensified tensions between the two countries. Indian aircraft will remain subject to the Pakistani ban until the revised deadline, unless a further announcement changes the restrictions.
