Pakistan extends airspace ban on Indian flights till May 24, one year after closure

Pakistan has extended its airspace ban on Indian aircraft by another month, keeping all Indian-registered, leased, commercial, and military flights barred until 5 am on May 24, 2026. The latest Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) was issued just days before the earlier deadline of April 24, effectively continuing a restriction that has now been in place for a full year.

The ban was first imposed on April 24, 2025, following heightened tensions between the two countries after the Pahalgam terror attack. India had blamed Pakistan for the incident, an allegation Islamabad rejected while calling for a transparent investigation. The airspace closure has since remained in force, marking an extended phase of strained bilateral relations.

In response to Pakistan’s move, India had also closed its airspace to Pakistani airlines, leading to reciprocal restrictions between the two nations. The ongoing measures have significantly disrupted aviation routes, particularly for Indian carriers that relied heavily on Pakistani airspace for flights connecting Indian cities with destinations in the Gulf region.

The continued closure has reportedly caused substantial financial losses to Indian airlines, running into billions of rupees, as carriers are forced to take longer routes, increasing fuel costs and travel time. The extension underscores the lack of any immediate resolution to the tensions that triggered the restrictions.

Airspace bans between India and Pakistan have historically been rare and typically linked to periods of conflict. Similar restrictions were previously seen during the 1999 Kargil conflict and the 2019 Pulwama crisis. However, the current ban stands out due to its duration, having now completed one year with no clear timeline for reopening.