ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has extended the closure of its airspace for Indian aircraft by another month, maintaining the restriction amid continued tensions between the two neighbouring countries.
The Pakistan Airports Authority, with approval from the government, issued a fresh notice to airmen stating that Pakistani airspace will remain closed to Indian registered aircraft until February 24, 2026.
According to the authority, the restriction applies to all Indian commercial passenger aircraft, military planes and private jets, which will not be permitted to transit through Pakistan’s airspace during the extended period.
Pakistan initially closed its airspace to Indian aircraft on April 23, 2025. Since then, Indian airlines have reportedly incurred significant financial losses amounting to billions of rupees due to longer flight routes and increased operating costs.
Officials said the extension reflects the prevailing strained relations between Islamabad and New Delhi and will continue to apply to all commercial and private flights linked to India.
The Pakistan Airports Authority confirmed that the ban has been extended for another month through a Notam issued on Tuesday.
The notification was issued three days before the restriction, which had last been extended on December 17, was due to expire on January 23.
India and Pakistan have kept their airspaces closed to each other’s airlines since tensions escalated in late April following an attack in occupied Kashmir’s Pahalgam area that left 26 people dead.
According to the latest Notam, Pakistan’s airspace will remain closed to India registered aircraft until 5am on February 24, extending the existing restriction.
The ban covers all India registered aircraft as well as any aircraft operated, owned or leased by Indian airlines or operators, including military flights.
The closure applies from ground level up to unlimited altitude.
Pakistan’s airspace is divided into two flight information regions, Karachi and Lahore, according to a 2022 document issued by the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority. The Notam applies to both the Karachi flight information region, designated OPKR, and the Lahore flight information region, designated OPLR.
