ISLAMABAD: Islamabad has announced that it will maintain the ban on Indian-registered aircraft using its airspace for an additional month, now scheduled to remain in effect until February 24, 2026. The extension was confirmed through a Notam (Notice to Airmen) issued by the Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA) on Tuesday.
The updated restriction period runs from January 25, 2025, to February 24, 2026, until 5 am PST. The ban encompasses all Indian-owned, operated, and leased aircraft, including military flights.
Pakistan’s decision to prolong the airspace closure continues a policy in place for the past nine months. The restriction was initially imposed as a retaliatory measure after India suspended the Indus Water Treaty amid rising tensions following the Pahalgam attack in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).
In response to Pakistan’s move, India also shut down its airspace to Pakistani airlines starting April 30, with the restriction later extended on May 23. This escalation coincided with unprovoked Indian strikes on multiple Pakistani cities on May 6-7.
In retaliation, Pakistani armed forces launched a significant military operation called “Operation Bunyanum Marsoos,” targeting Indian military positions across various regions. The conflict resulted in Pakistan shooting down seven Indian fighter jets, including three Rafales, and destroying numerous drones. After intense fighting lasting over 87 hours, a ceasefire was brokered by the United States on May 10, bringing an end to hostilities.
Although India’s aviation industry experienced substantial losses, the impact on Pakistan’s airline sector was relatively limited. Historically, Pakistan has enforced similar airspace restrictions during conflicts such as the 1999 Kargil conflict and the 2019 Pulwama crisis, both of which caused greater disruption to India’s aviation operations than to Pakistan’s.
