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Pakistan has once again extended its ban on the use of its airspace by Indian aircraft. The Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA) announced the extension through a new Notice to Airmen (NOTAM), Geo News reported.
According to the new NOTAM, the ban, which took effect on August 18, will remain in force until 4:59am Pakistan Standard Time on September 24. The restriction applies to all aircraft registered in India, aircraft operated by Indian airlines, aircraft leased by India, and civilian and military aircraft owned or operated by Indian nationals.
Pakistan first closed its airspace to Indian aircraft on April 23, 2025. The latest NOTAM is the 16th extension of the restriction. Tensions between the two countries escalated sharply following a deadly attack in Pahalgam in Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir in April 2025. India accused Pakistan of involvement in the attack, while Islamabad strongly rejected the allegation and called for an independent and transparent investigation.
On April 23, 2025, India announced the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, following which Pakistan closed its airspace to Indian aviation. In a reciprocal move, India closed its airspace to Pakistani airlines on April 30. Tensions escalated further on May 6 and 7, 2025, when India carried out airstrikes on several locations in Pakistan. Pakistan responded with a major military operation, dubbed “Operation Bunyanum Marsoos,” and claimed to have struck multiple Indian military installations.
According to Pakistan, it shot down eight Indian fighter jets, including three Rafale aircraft, as well as dozens of drones during the conflict. After nearly 87 hours of fighting, the two nuclear-armed countries agreed to a ceasefire on May 10, with US mediation.
The closure of the airspace has caused comparatively greater financial losses for India’s aviation sector, while the impact on Pakistan’s aviation industry has been relatively limited. Pakistan had imposed similar airspace restrictions during the 1999 Kargil War and the 2019 Pulwama crisis. On those occasions as well, Indian airlines faced greater operational difficulties than their Pakistani counterparts.
