Pakistan airports authority prolongs airspace restrictions for Indian carriers

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has officially extended its airspace ban on Indian flights for another month. According to a notice issued by the Pakistan Airports Authority, the restriction will now remain in effect until 5:30 AM (IST) on May 24, 2026.

India is expected to respond shortly by mirroring the extension. Historically, Indian authorities have prohibited Pakistani flights from entering their airspace for the same duration as Pakistan’s mandates. If India proceeds with this reciprocal ban, it will mark 13 consecutive months since both nations closed their corridors to one another. Notably, these restrictions apply only to bilateral traffic; flights from other countries continue to operate through both airspaces without interference.

The diplomatic standoff began following a terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir, on April 22 last year, which resulted in the deaths of 26 people. Pakistan initiated its ban on Indian flights on April 24, 2025, and India followed suit by banning Pakistani aircraft on April 30, 2025.

According to the latest Pakistani directive, no aircraft registered in India or operated by Indian airlines may enter Pakistani airspace. This strict prohibition extends to military aircraft as well as any aircraft leased by Indian carriers. While the current Indian ban is technically set to expire at 5:30 AM on April 24, an official extension is anticipated to align with Pakistan's latest notification.