Pakistan Extends Airspace Ban on Indian Aircraft to October 24

ISLAMABAD, September 16, 2026: Pakistan has extended its airspace restriction on Indian civil and military aircraft until October 24, continuing a measure imposed amid prolonged tensions between the two countries.

The Pakistan Airports Authority issued the extension through a Notice to Airmen, or NOTAM. It applies to aircraft registered in India as well as planes owned, operated or leased by Indian airlines and operators, including military flights.

The restriction took effect at 10:45 a.m. on September 16 and will remain in force until 4:59 a.m. on October 24, according to Arab News Pakistan. It replaces an earlier notice that was due to expire on September 24.

Both flight regions covered

The NOTAM covers Pakistan's Karachi and Lahore flight information regions. Indian carriers operating westbound services must therefore continue using alternative routes rather than crossing Pakistani airspace.

Longer routings can increase flight time, fuel consumption and operating costs, although the effect varies by destination and airline network. The measure also affects planning for military aviation covered by the notice.

Pakistan and India closed their airspace to each other's aircraft in late April 2025 after relations deteriorated following the attack in Pahalgam in Indian-administered Kashmir, which killed 26 people. India blamed Pakistan-linked elements, while Islamabad denied involvement and called for an independent investigation.

Tensions escalated into military exchanges in May 2025, deepening the diplomatic rupture and affecting aviation, travel and regional connectivity.

Restrictions continue month by month

The two governments have maintained their aviation restrictions through successive extensions. Pakistan's latest notice carries the ban forward by another month without announcing a broader change in policy.

The airspace closures matter beyond bilateral travel because Pakistan and India sit astride important routes linking South Asia with the Middle East and Europe. Airlines can adapt their schedules, but sustained diversions create additional costs and operational complexity.

Any easing of the restrictions would require a new official notification. For now, the October deadline serves as the next review point while political and security relations remain strained.