Web Desk: Pakistan has extended its ban on Indian aircraft using its airspace for another month, aviation authorities said on Tuesday, as restrictions imposed after last year’s conflict between the two countries continue into a second year.
Pakistan’s Airports Authority issued a new Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) stating that all Indian-registered, leased, commercial and military aircraft will remain barred from entering Pakistani airspace until 0500 local time on May 24, 2026.
The move prolongs a measure first introduced on April 23, 2025, following heightened tensions and hostilities between the nuclear-armed neighbours. Since then, authorities have renewed the restriction at regular intervals.
As a result of the extension, Indian airlines must continue to reroute flights along longer alternative corridors, increasing both travel time and operational costs.
Industry estimates suggest the restrictions have already cost Indian carriers billions of rupees due to higher fuel consumption, extended flight durations and logistical adjustments. Moreover, the disruption has affected regional air traffic patterns, forcing airlines to adapt schedules and routes.
Meanwhile, Pakistan has not indicated any immediate plans to lift the ban, signaling that broader geopolitical tensions remain unresolved. The continued closure underscores the lingering fallout from last year’s conflict and its impact on civil aviation in the region.
Although no direct negotiations on restoring overflight access have been publicly confirmed, aviation observers say any reversal will likely depend on broader diplomatic developments between the two countries.
