Pakistan has extended its airspace restrictions on all Indian-registered aircraft through April 24, 2026, marking the latest chapter in a nearly year-long aviation blockade between the nuclear-armed neighbors. The Pakistan Airport Authority (PAA) issued a fresh Notice to Airmen (Notam) on Wednesday, just days before the previous restriction was set to expire on March 23.
The new directive maintains a comprehensive ban affecting both of Pakistan’s Flight Information Regions (FIRs)—Karachi (OPKR) and Lahore (OPLR). According to the Notam, the closure applies not only to aircraft registered in India but also to those operated, owned, or leased by Indian airlines or operators, including military flights. This extension continues a policy first implemented in late April 2025 following heightened bilateral tensions.
The airspace closure originated after escalating hostilities in the Kashmir region in spring 2025. An attack in Indian-administered Pahalgam that killed 26 people triggered accusations from New Delhi—which Pakistan vehemently denied—and led to what became known as the Marka-i-Haq period of conflict. During this time, the two nations engaged in their fiercest aerial battles in decades, with Pakistan claiming to have downed seven Indian fighter jets in May 2025.
Aviation analysts note that the continued closure forces airlines to reroute flights between parts of South Asia, the Middle East, and Europe, adding significant flight time and fuel costs. The restriction affects numerous commercial carriers that previously traversed Pakistani airspace for east-west routes. According to Reuters, the initial closure disrupted hundreds of flights monthly, with particular impact on Air India and other carriers operating between Europe and Southeast Asia.
Diplomatic efforts to resolve the airspace issue have yielded little progress, with both countries maintaining hardened positions. The extension comes amid other regional tensions, including recent Pakistani military actions along the Afghan border. However, the India-Pakistan airspace dispute remains one of the most visible and economically consequential manifestations of their strained relations.
Experts warn that prolonged airspace closures could have lasting effects on regional aviation cooperation and economic integration. The International Civil Aviation Organization has previously urged dialogue to restore normal air traffic, emphasizing the importance of open skies for global connectivity. With the new April 24 deadline, observers will watch whether this extension represents another temporary measure or a step toward longer-term separation of the neighbors’ aviation spheres.
Source: Dawn News