Pakistan has extended its ban on India bound flights for another month, a move that continues to impact Indian airlines financially. The decision was announced through the 12th Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) issued by the Pakistan Airports Authority.
Read More: Pakistan extends India flight ban to February
The NOTAM specifies that the ban applies to all Indian airlines, aircraft operated by Indian carriers, planes registered in India, and Indian military aircraft. The restriction will remain in effect until April 24, 2026, at 5:00 AM.
The Pakistan Airport Authority has extended airspace restrictions on Indian aircraft till April 24, according to a fresh notice to airmen.https://t.co/efZ9C0u3ok
— Dawn.com (@dawn_com) March 18, 2026
This ban was initially imposed on April 23, 2025, following rising tensions between Pakistan and India. With the new extension, the restriction will have been in place for almost a year.
Officials said the decision has disrupted more than 200 daily Indian commercial flights. Airlines are being forced to take longer routes, make additional stopovers, and see passengers switch to foreign carriers, resulting in significant financial losses for Indian companies. Industry estimates suggest the cumulative losses run into billions of rupees.
The ban affects both passenger and cargo operations, adding pressure on Indian airlines to reroute flights through neutral airspace, increasing operational costs and flight times. Analysts say the continued restriction could also impact ticket pricing and airline scheduling in the region.
Pakistan’s aviation authorities maintain that the move is necessary for national security amid ongoing bilateral tensions, and no immediate plans for lifting the ban have been announced.
Read More: Pakistan extends airspace ban on Indian aircraft until December 24
The extension underscores the prolonged airspace restrictions between the two countries, highlighting the continued impact of geopolitical tensions on civil aviation and commercial airlines in South Asia.