Pakistan extends airspace ban

Pakistan has extended its airspace ban for Indian aircraft until November 24, 2026, according to a Notice to Airmen (Notam) issued by the Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA).

“Pakistan airspace not available for Indian registered aircraft and aircraft operated/owned or leased by Indian airlines/operators, including military flights”

Previous ban expired October 24

The previous extension of the ban was set to expire on October 24.

Notam effective from 7:45pm Saturday

The extension came into effect at 7:45pm on Saturday and will remain until 04:59am on November 24, 2026.

Airspace divided into two regions

Pakistan’s airspace is divided into two flight information regions (FIRs), Karachi and Lahore, according to a Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA) document from 2022.

Ban applied to both regions

Saturday’s Notam applies to both the Karachi (OPKR) and Lahore (OPLR) FIRs.

Airspace closure triggered by Pahalgam attack

India and Pakistan closed their airspaces to each other’s airlines in late April 2025, when tensions escalated after a deadly attack in India-occupied Kashmir’s Pahalgam.

Pakistan’s retaliation for alleged attack

On April 24, Pakistan’s top brass announced a series of measures, including the closure of its airspace to all India-owned or Indian-operated airlines with immediate effect.

Pakistan denied involvement in attack

New Delhi, without evidence, had alleged that Islamabad backed the Pahalgam attack. However, Pakistan had strongly denied any involvement and offered a neutral probe.

Nuclear air battle in May

The nuclear powers had the fiercest air battle in May, in which Pakistan said it downed seven Indian fighter jets.

Repeated extensions of ban

Since then, Pakistan has extended the airspace ban several times, forcing Indian carriers to use longer and costlier routes.

Air India’s financial impact

For Air India, the country’s only carrier with a major international network, fuel costs rose by as much as 29 per cent and journey times by up to three hours on some long-haul routes.

Air India profit impact

The airline, owned by Tata Group and Singapore Airlines, estimated the Pakistan airspace closure’s impact on its profit before tax at $455 million annually, a significant amount given its fiscal 2024-25 loss stood at $439m.