Pakistan extends airspace ban on Indian aircraft through Dec 23

Pakistan has announced that its airspace will continue to be closed to all Indian-registered aircraft — both civilian and military — until December 23, according to a new Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) issued by the Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA).

The restriction, which was first imposed on April 23, 2025, remains firmly in place. The PAA’s latest directive confirms that no passenger, cargo, or military aircraft owned, leased, or operated by Indian entities will be permitted to overfly or land in Pakistan.

The closure of Pakistani airspace dates back to heightened tensions following the Pahalgam attack in Indian-occupied Kashmir in April 2025, in which 26 people were killed. New Delhi accused Islamabad of involvement, which Pakistan strongly denied, calling instead for a neutral investigation.

In response, Pakistan imposed a sweeping ban on Indian aircraft, a move that escalated into a broader diplomatic and aviation standoff. The extended ban has not come without cost. Indian airlines have reportedly suffered billions of rupees in losses due to rerouting and higher fuel consumption on longer flight paths.