Pakistan has extended its airspace ban on all Indian-registered, leased, commercial, and military aircraft until 5 a.m. on May 24, 2026.
The restriction, first imposed on April 24, 2025, remains in effect as tensions between the two countries persist.
The Pakistan Airports Authority issued a new Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) confirming the extension of the days before the previous order’s expiry. Officials said the decision follows heightened diplomatic strain after the Pahalgam terror attack, which India blamed on Pakistan. Islamabad denied the allegations and called for a transparent investigation.
India responded by closing its airspace to Pakistani airlines, marking a rare reciprocal move. The ban has severely impacted Indian carriers, which relied on Pakistani airspace for routes connecting Indian cities to Gulf destinations. Industry sources estimate losses worth billions of rupees since the closure began.
Pakistan’s airspace restrictions recall similar measures during the 1999 Kargil conflict and the 2019 Pulwama crisis. Analysts believe the latest extension underscores the deepening standoff between the two nations.
