Pakistan has extended its airspace ban on Indian aircraft for another month, keeping the restriction in place until November 24, 2026, amid continued tensions between the two neighbouring countries.
The Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA) announced the extension in a post on X on Saturday, October 17, confirming that a fresh Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) had been issued to prolong the restriction. A PAA spokesperson confirmed the move to Geo News, saying the latest NOTAM formalises the month-long extension.
The announcement stated: “Pakistan airspace not available for Indian registered aircraft and aircraft operated, owned or leased by Indian airlines or operators, including military flights.” The Pakistan airspace ban on Indian aircraft will now remain in effect until 4:59 am local time on November 24, 2026.
The previous extension had been set to expire on October 24, 2026. More than a dozen NOTAMs have now been issued in connection with the airspace restriction since it was first imposed.
Karachi and Lahore Flight Information Regions Covered
Pakistan’s airspace is divided into two flight information regions — Karachi (OPKR) and Lahore (OPLR) — according to a Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority document from 2022. The latest NOTAM applies to both the Karachi and Lahore FIRs, meaning Indian-registered and Indian-operated aircraft cannot transit through either region.
The Pakistan airspace ban on Indian aircraft covers civilian as well as military flights, making it one of the most comprehensive airspace restrictions currently in force in South Asia.
Background: Pahalgam Attack and Reciprocal Restrictions
The restriction was initially imposed on April 23, 2025, following the Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir. India accused Pakistan of involvement in the attack, an allegation Islamabad firmly denied. The incident triggered a sharp escalation in diplomatic and military tensions between the two countries.
India responded by closing its own airspace to Pakistani airlines on April 30, 2025, creating reciprocal airspace restrictions that have now been in place for nearly 18 months. The Pakistan airspace ban on Indian aircraft has been extended periodically ever since, typically in one-month increments.
This is not the first time Pakistan has restricted Indian aircraft from its airspace. Similar measures were imposed during previous periods of heightened tensions, including the 1999 Kargil conflict and the 2019 Pulwama crisis, according to Geo News.
Impact on Airlines and Passengers
The continuing airspace restrictions have disrupted airline operations between the two countries, forcing carriers to take longer routes on some international services. Indian airlines operating westbound flights to Europe, the Gulf and North America must route around Pakistani airspace, adding flight time and fuel costs.
Similarly, Pakistani carriers face longer routings on eastbound services due to India’s reciprocal closure. Aviation analysts say the extended Pakistan airspace ban on Indian aircraft continues to add operational costs for airlines on both sides, costs that are ultimately passed on to passengers through higher fares.
The NOTAM-based extension mechanism means the restriction is reviewed roughly every month, with each extension signalling that bilateral relations have not improved enough to warrant reopening the skies.
What Happens Next
With the current extension running until November 24, 2026, another decision will be due in the third week of November. Past practice suggests the PAA will issue a further NOTAM shortly before expiry, either extending the Pakistan airspace ban on Indian aircraft again or — if diplomatic conditions improve — allowing it to lapse.
For now, travellers booked on Indian carriers’ westbound routes should expect slightly longer flight times, while the broader signal from Islamabad and New Delhi remains one of continued estrangement. Until the underlying political tensions ease, the skies between the two countries are likely to stay divided.
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