Pakistan has extended the closure of its airspace to Indian aircraft for an additional month, effective until January 24, 2026, according to a Notam issued by the Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA) on Wednesday.
The restriction, in force from December 16, 2025, to January 24, 2026 (PST), applies to all Indian-owned, operated, or leased aircraft, including military flights. The PAA said the extension continues an existing airspace ban that has been in place for the past eight months.
The initial closure was a reciprocal measure following India’s suspension of the Indus Water Treaty amid heightened tensions after the deadly Pahalgam attack in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). In response, India had closed its airspace to Pakistani flights on April 30, prompting Pakistan’s first ban, which was extended in May.
The latest extension marks a total of 210 days of Pakistan’s airspace restrictions on Indian aircraft. The move follows a series of military confrontations in May, when India launched attacks on multiple Pakistani cities, prompting Pakistan to carry out retaliatory operations under “Operation Bunyanum Marsoos.” During the conflict, Pakistan claimed to have downed seven Indian fighter jets, including three Rafales, and numerous drones before a US-brokered ceasefire ended hostilities on May 10.
While the ban has significantly affected India’s aviation sector, Pakistan’s airlines have reported minimal operational disruption. Historical precedent shows that Pakistan has previously imposed airspace closures during periods of bilateral tension, including the 1999 Kargil conflict and the 2019 Pulwama crisis, both of which resulted in greater disruption for Indian carriers.
The continued ban underscores the enduring strain in Indo-Pak relations and reflects Pakistan’s ongoing measures to safeguard its airspace amid diplomatic and security challenges.
