ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA) has extended its ban on Indian aircraft until December 24, according to a notice to airmen (Notam) issued on Wednesday. The extension comes just four days before the previous ban was set to expire.
The closure, in effect from 2:50pm on November 19 to 4:59am on December 24 Pakistan time, applies to all Indian-registered aircraft, as well as planes operated, owned, or leased by Indian airlines, including military flights. The airspace ban covers Pakistan’s two flight information regions (FIRs), Karachi (OPKR) and Lahore (OPLR), and applies from ground level up to unlimited altitude.
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Pakistan first closed its airspace to Indian carriers in late April following an attack in occupied Kashmir’s Pahalgam that killed 26 people. India had suspended the Indus Waters Treaty shortly after the attack, alleging (without evidence) Pakistan’s involvement—a claim Islamabad has denied, offering a neutral probe. The two nuclear-armed countries later engaged in intense military clashes in early May, during which Pakistan claimed to have downed seven Indian jets.
The airspace closure has had a major financial impact on Indian carriers. Air India, India’s primary international airline, reported fuel costs rising by up to 29% and flight durations increasing by as much as three hours on some routes. The carrier estimated the closure could reduce its annual profit before tax by $455 million, surpassing its fiscal 2024-25 loss of $439 million. Other Indian airlines, including IndiGo, are also facing higher fuel costs and extended journey times due to rerouted flights.
Read More: Islamabad extends airspace ban on Indian aircraft until Nov 24
Meanwhile, Pakistan has also reported revenue losses from the ban. The PAA recorded a shortfall of Rs4.1 billion in August, roughly two months after restricting its airspace to Indian aircraft.
The airspace closure underscores ongoing tensions between India and Pakistan, with both countries continuing to recalibrate security, diplomatic, and economic measures amid a prolonged dispute.
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