Pakistan has once again extended its airspace restrictions on Indian aircraft, keeping the ban in force until November 24, 2026. The Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA) announced the one-month extension on Saturday through a fresh Notice to Airmen (NOTAM), a move that will keep Indian airlines on longer, costlier detours to Europe, West Asia and beyond.
The decision means Indian-registered aircraft, and any aircraft owned, operated or leased by Indian airlines and operators, remain barred from entering Pakistani airspace. The restriction covers both of Pakistan’s flight information regions, Karachi and Lahore, and applies to civilian as well as military flights.
What the fresh NOTAM says
Announcing the extension on social media platform X on Saturday evening, the PAA said: “Pakistan airspace not available for Indian registered aircraft and aircraft operated, owned or leased by Indian airlines or operators, including military flights.” The order takes effect immediately and stays in force until 4:59 am local time on November 24.
This is the latest in a long string of month-on-month extensions. The previous NOTAM was set to expire on October 24, and more than a dozen NOTAMs have now been issued in connection with the restriction since it first came into force.
Why the ban exists
The airspace curbs trace back to April 2025, when relations between the two neighbours nosedived after the terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, that killed 26 people, most of them tourists. India accused Pakistan of backing the attack, a charge Islamabad rejected.
Pakistan first closed its airspace to Indian aircraft on April 23, 2025. India responded within a week, imposing reciprocal restrictions on Pakistani airlines and aircraft from April 30, 2025. Tensions escalated further in May 2025, when India carried out strikes against targets in Pakistan and Pakistan responded with attacks on Indian military installations. The confrontation lasted several days before both sides agreed to a ceasefire on May 10.
Since then, both countries have repeatedly rolled over the airspace curbs every month, with no sign yet of an easing.
What it costs Indian airlines
For passengers and carriers alike, the extension keeps the extra costs piling up. Flights from northern India to Europe, the UK, West Asia and other western destinations must continue to detour around Pakistan instead of flying the shorter direct routes.
- Longer flight times: Detours add significant minutes to several westbound sectors, complicating crew scheduling and connections.
- Higher fuel burn: Every extra minute in the air means more fuel, pushing up operating expenses on already thin international margins.
- Possible fare pressure: Airlines have so far absorbed much of the added cost, but prolonged restrictions keep the pressure on ticket prices.
- Technical stops: On some ultra-long westbound routes, the extra distance can force payload restrictions or fuel stops.
Aviation experts note that while Indian carriers have adapted well operationally since April 2025, the cumulative cost of flying around Pakistan for 19 months is now substantial. The latest extension takes the total past a year and a half with no relief in sight.
No easing on the horizon
Neither Islamabad nor New Delhi has indicated any readiness to wind down the reciprocal bans. With the next deadline landing on November 24, another rollover looks likely unless the diplomatic temperature changes meaningfully.
Pakistan has used airspace closures as a pressure tool during previous crises as well, including the 1999 Kargil conflict and the 2019 standoff after the Pulwama attack. Each time, it took months before normal overflight resumed.
For now, travellers booking westbound flights out of Delhi and other northern Indian cities this winter should keep expecting longer journeys, and possibly higher fares, as the skies over Pakistan stay closed to Indian wings.
FAQs
Until when is Pakistan’s airspace ban on Indian aircraft in force?
The latest extension keeps the ban in place until 4:59 am (local time) on November 24, 2026.
Which flights are affected?
All Indian-registered aircraft, plus aircraft owned, operated or leased by Indian airlines and operators, including military flights, are barred from the Karachi and Lahore flight information regions.
How does this affect passengers?
Westbound international flights from India take longer, detour routes, which can mean higher fares, longer travel times and tighter connections.
Did India also ban Pakistani aircraft?
Yes. India imposed reciprocal restrictions on Pakistani airlines and aircraft from April 30, 2025, a week after Pakistan’s first closure.
When was the ban first imposed?
Pakistan first closed its airspace to Indian aircraft on April 23, 2025, following the Pahalgam terror attack, and has extended it every month since.
Stay tuned to Informeia for the latest updates on this developing story.
