Pakistan extends airspace ban on Indian aircraft till October 24

Pakistan has extended its airspace restrictions on Indian aircraft for another month, with the latest ban set to remain in force until October 24, according to a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) issued by the Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA) on Wednesday.

The extension took effect at 10:45 am on Wednesday and will remain valid until 4:59 am on October 24, 2026. The previous extension was due to expire on September 24.

Ban covers Indian civil and military aircraft

The latest NOTAM states that Pakistani airspace is unavailable to Indian-registered aircraft as well as aircraft operated, owned or leased by Indian airlines and operators, including military flights.

The restriction therefore covers both civil and military aircraft linked to Indian operators.

Pakistan and India introduced matching restrictions on each other's airlines after the Pahalgam terrorist attack in April 2025, amid a sharp deterioration in relations between the two countries.

Pakistan first imposed the airspace restriction in April 2025 and has since extended it repeatedly. The latest notification is the 17th NOTAM issued to continue the measure.

Restriction applies across Karachi and Lahore FIRs

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

The latest NOTAM applies to both the Karachi and Lahore FIRs, meaning aircraft covered by the restriction cannot use either of the country's two flight information regions.

The continuing closure has forced affected Indian airlines to use alternative routes for flights that would otherwise pass through Pakistani airspace. Pakistani media have reported that the restrictions have added to fuel and operating costs for Indian carriers.

The latest extension comes as India-Pakistan relations remain strained, with the airspace restrictions continuing more than a year after they were first imposed.