Pakistan has extended its ban on Indian-registered aircraft using its airspace for another month, keeping the restriction in place until February 24, 2026. The Pakistan Airports Authority issued the updated Notice to Airmen on Tuesday.
According to the new notice, the restriction will remain effective from January 25, 2026, until 5:00 am Pakistan Standard Time on February 24, 2026. The ban covers all Indian-owned, operated, and leased aircraft, including military flights.
The aviation authority said the extension continues a restriction that has been in place for the past 9 months. Pakistan initially closed its airspace to Indian airlines in response to New Delhi’s suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty during a period of heightened bilateral tensions.
India later imposed a reciprocal ban on Pakistani aircraft on April 30. Pakistan had already extended its initial restriction by an additional month on May 23.
Tensions escalated further on May 6 and 7, when India carried out attacks on several Pakistani cities. In response, Pakistan’s armed forces launched Operation Bunyanum Marsoos, targeting Indian military installations across multiple regions.
During the confrontation, Pakistan shot down several Indian fighter jets and drones. The conflict ended after nearly four days with a ceasefire agreement brokered by the United States on May 10.
Aviation analysts say India’s airline industry has suffered significant losses due to the prolonged airspace closure. In contrast, the impact on Pakistan’s aviation sector has remained limited.
This is not the first time Pakistan has imposed airspace restrictions on India. Similar measures were taken during the 1999 Kargil conflict and the 2019 Pulwama crisis, both of which resulted in greater operational disruptions for Indian airlines than for Pakistan.
