Pakistan extends airspace ban on Indian aircraft until Oct 24

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has extended its ban on Indian civil and military aircraft using its airspace until October 24, prolonging a restriction that has remained in place for over a year amid strained relations between the two nuclear-armed neighbours.

According to a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) issued by the Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA), the closure applies to all aircraft registered, owned, operated, or leased by Indian airlines or operators, as well as military flights.

“The ban, covering all flight levels from ground to unlimited altitude, took effect at 10:45 am local time on Septber 16 and will remain active until 4:59 am on October 24,” the PAA said.

The latest directive marks the 17th extension of the airspace restrictions.

Pakistan first shut its airspace to Indian flights on April 23, 2025. The decision came in response to heightened diplomatic and military tensions following an attack on tourists in Pahalgam in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir on April 22, and India’s subsequent suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty.

India retaliated shortly after by closing its own airspace to Pakistani carriers.

The immediate prior NOTAM was issued in mid-August 2026, extending the ban from August 23 through September 24, 2026. The current September 16 order replaces and extends that directive.

Prior to the 2025 closure, Pakistan completely shut its airspace to Indian traffic in February 2019 following the Balakot airstrikes and military dogfights, a restriction that lasted nearly five months until July 2019. Similar bans were instituted during the 1999 Kargil conflict.