Pakistan extends airspace ban on Indian aircraft until Oct 24

Indian aircraft will remain barred from using Pakistani airspace until October 24 as Pakistan has extended the restriction for another month, according to a Notice to Airmen (Notam) issued by the Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA) on Wednesday.

The latest extension took effect at 10:45am on Wednesday and will remain in force until 4:59am on October 24, 2026. The previous extension was due to end on September 24.

The restriction covers both of Pakistan’s flight information regions (FIRs), Karachi (OPKR) and Lahore (OPLR). Pakistan’s airspace is divided into these two FIRs, according to a Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority document issued in 2022.

“Pakistan airspace not available for Indian registered aircraft and aircraft operated/owned or leased by Indian airlines/operators, including military flights,” read the Notam.

The ban therefore applies not only to aircraft registered in India but also to aircraft operated, owned or leased by Indian airlines and operators. Military flights are also covered by the restriction.

The latest extension comes more than a year after Pakistan and India separately closed their airspace to each other’s airlines in April 2025, following a sharp deterioration in relations between the two countries.