Pakistan has officially extended its airspace closure for Indian aircraft until July 24, according to a new Notice to Airmen (Notam) issued by the Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA). The decision means that all aircraft owned, operated, or registered in India will remain prohibited from using Pakistani airspace during the notified period.
The latest Notam states that the restriction came into effect on June 16 at 5:50pm and will continue until 4:59am on July 24. The ban applies not only to commercial passenger aircraft but also to military planes and aircraft leased by Indian airlines. As a result, Indian carriers will continue to rely on longer alternative routes for several international destinations.
The airspace restrictions are part of the ongoing tensions between Pakistan and India that escalated after the Pahalgam attack in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir. Following the incident, India suspended the Indus Water Treaty and accused Pakistan of involvement. Islamabad rejected the allegations and called for an independent and transparent investigation into the matter.
In response to the deteriorating relations, Pakistan initially closed its airspace to Indian airlines, while India later imposed similar restrictions on Pakistani carriers. The diplomatic dispute eventually expanded into military confrontations during 2025, leading to heightened security concerns across the region.
Despite the continued restrictions, aviation analysts believe Pakistan’s airline industry has experienced relatively limited disruption compared to its Indian counterpart. Indian airlines operating flights to Europe, North America, and the Middle East have been forced to adopt longer routes, resulting in higher fuel costs and increased travel times for passengers.
This is not the first time Pakistan has imposed airspace restrictions on Indian flights. Similar measures were introduced during the Kargil conflict in 1999 and the Pulwama crisis in 2019. In both instances, Indian airlines faced greater operational challenges due to rerouting requirements.
With the latest extension now in effect, airlines and travelers will continue to monitor developments closely as both countries navigate ongoing diplomatic and security challenges in the region.
