Pakistan on Tuesday extended for a month, until Feb. 24, a ban on Indian-registered aircraft from using its airspace, according to a NOTAM (notice to airmen) issued by the Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA).
The NOTAM states the restriction would remain in effect from Jan. 25 to Feb. 24 and applies to all Indian-owned, operated and leased aircraft, including military flights. It noted the decision continues an existing restriction in place for the past nine months.
Pakistan closed its airspace for Indian airlines last year after New Delhi unilaterally suspending the Indus Water Treaty. In response, India shut its airspace to Pakistani airlines. The collapse in ties followed a brief conflict between the neighboring nations in the aftermath of the Pahalgam attack in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir.
The closure of each other’s airspaces has primarily impacted India, whose aviation industry has been forced to utilize lengthy routes that have inflicted financial losses. The impact on Pakistani aviation, per experts, has been minimal.