Pakistan has decided to extend its ban on Indian-registered aircraft and planes owned or operated by Indian airlines for another month, now lasting until November 24. This announcement came from the country’s airports authority.
The ban was first put in place on April 23, 2025, and has been periodically renewed due to ongoing tensions between Pakistan and India. The Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA) confirmed the extension through a post on X (formerly known as Twitter) on Saturday, noting that the restriction also applies to military flights.
According to the PAA, this current extension remains valid until 4:59 AM local time on November 24, 2026. A spokesperson for the PAA mentioned that a new Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) has been issued to officially extend the ban.
Pakistan’s airspace is segmented into two flight information regions: Karachi and Lahore. The latest NOTAM impacts both of these areas.
These airspace restrictions were originally set in place after a terror attack in Pahalgam, located in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, which took place in April 2025. India accused Pakistan of being involved in the attack, a claim that Pakistan denied. This incident significantly heightened diplomatic and military tensions between the two nations.
In response to Pakistan’s ban, India closed its airspace to Pakistani airlines on April 30, 2025. Historically, Pakistan has imposed such airspace restrictions during times of increased tension, including during the Kargil conflict in 1999 and the Pulwama crisis in 2019.
The ongoing restrictions have had an impact on airline operations, leading to longer flight routes for carriers operating between the two countries.
