Pakistan has extended the closure of its airspace for all Indian civilian and military aircraft until May 24, 2026, officials confirmed on Tuesday.
The Pakistan Airports Authority issued a new Notice to Airmen (NOTAM), extending the restriction for another month. The ban, which was first imposed on April 23, 2025, continues to apply to all Indian passenger and military flights.
Officials said the latest extension comes after a routine review of the regional security situation.
The continued closure has caused major financial losses for Indian airlines, as they have to take longer routes since the restrictions began. Industry estimates suggest that these changes have cost airlines billions of rupees in extra fuel and operational expenses.
The restrictions were introduced amid rising tensions following the 2025 Pahalgam attack in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, which led to retaliatory measures between the two countries.
Major Indian airlines, including Air India, have been significantly affected, especially due to their long-haul routes to Europe, the United States, and Canada that depend on Pakistani airspace.
Earlier, Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu, Chief of Air Staff of the Pakistan Air Force, urged India to take a mature approach in resolving the issue of Jammu and Kashmir in line with UN resolutions and the wishes of the Kashmiri people.
While addressing a ceremony at the Pakistan Military Academy, he said Pakistan’s armed forces are fully prepared and capable of handling both internal and external challenges. He added that the country’s defence strength was demonstrated during the May 2025 operations, referred to as Marka-e-Haq and Operation Bunyan-un-Marsoos against India.
