Pakistan on Wednesday extended the closure of its airspace for Indian aircraft by another month, prolonging the restrictions that have been in place for nearly 10 months.
In a fresh Notice to Airmen (NOTAM), the Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA) said Pakistan’s airspace would remain closed to Indian-registered aircraft until March 23, 2026. Due to this restriction, all Indian-registered military and civil aircraft are barred from transiting through Pakistan’s airspace until March 23.
Pakistan initially closed its airspace to Indian aircraft on April 23, 2025 in a tit-for-tat move over New Delhi unilaterally suspending the Indus Water Treaty amid heightened tensions after the Pahalgam terrorist attack in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). A week after Pakistan’s move, India likewise shut its airspace to Pakistani airlines on April 30, 2025.
In May 2025, the neighboring nations were involved in a clash triggered by India launching unprovoked attacks on multiple Pakistani cities. In retaliation, Pakistan launched “Operation Bunyanum Marsoos,” targeting several Indian military assets across multiple regions. Prior to a ceasefire on May 10, Pakistan downed seven Indian fighter jets, including three Rafale, and dozens of drones.
According to observers, the airspace closure has made minimal impact on Pakistan but has caused heavy losses for India’s aviation industry.