Pakistan extends airspace ban on Indian aircraft until Jan 23

The Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA) on Wednesday extended restrictions on Indian aircraft, keeping Pakistan’s airspace closed to them until January 23.

The extension was announced as the earlier deadline is due to expire on December 24.

Under the extension, Indian-registered aircraft will continue to be barred from using Pakistan’s airspace. The restriction covers all civilian aircraft owned, operated or leased by Indian airlines, as well as Indian military flights.

According to a notice issued to airmen (NOTAM), the ban, which has already been in place, will now remain effective until January 23, 2026, in line with the specified timings.

Pakistan’s airspace is divided into two flight information regions — Karachi and Lahore — and the restriction applies to both regions.

India and Pakistan have kept their airspaces closed to each other’s airlines since tensions rose in late April following an attack in Pahalgam in occupied Kashmir that killed 26 people.