Pakistan Extends Airspace Ban for Indian Aircraft Until March 23 Amid Persistent Tensions, The Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA) has officially extended the closure of its airspace for all Indian-registered aircraft until March 23, 2026. This decision prolongs the existing aviation deadlock between the two nuclear-armed neighbors, which has now entered its 11th consecutive month.
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New NOTAM Issued for Karachi and Lahore FIRs
In a fresh Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) issued on Wednesday, the PAA confirmed that the restriction applies to both of Pakistan’s flight information regions (FIRs)—Karachi (OPKR) and Lahore (OPLR). The ban remains absolute, covering:
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All Indian commercial and civil aircraft.
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Aircraft owned, operated, or leased by Indian carriers.
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All Indian military-registered aircraft.
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Private jets and transit flights.
The closure applies from ground level to an unlimited altitude, effectively barring any Indian flight from using Pakistani territory as a transit route.
Historical Context: The Pahalgam Incident
The reciprocal airspace closure began in April 2025, following a significant escalation in bilateral tensions. The standoff was triggered by an attack in Pahalgam, Indian-occupied Kashmir, which resulted in the deaths of 26 people.
Following the incident, Pakistan suspended its airspace for Indian carriers on April 23, 2025. In a tit-for-tat move, New Delhi responded by closing its airspace to Pakistani airlines on April 30. Since then, both nations have been extending these bans on a monthly basis.
Financial and Operational Impact
While the impact on Pakistani aviation has remained relatively limited due to fewer overflight dependencies, Indian airlines have faced a severe financial toll.
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Fuel Costs & Rerouting: Major Indian carriers, including Air India and IndiGo, are forced to take longer routes for flights heading to Europe, the US, and West Asia.
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Operational Losses: Reports suggest that the closure has added billions of rupees to the operating costs of Indian airlines. Air India alone previously estimated a potential annualized impact of nearly $455 million.
Strategic Outlook
The extension until March 23 reflects the ongoing diplomatic stalemate. Experts suggest that until there is a meaningful de-escalation in border tensions or a resumption of bilateral talks, the “monthly ritual” of extending airspace restrictions is likely to continue, keeping regional air connectivity under significant strain.
