Pakistan extends airspace ban for Indian aircraft until October 23

Restriction applies to all civil and military aircraft of Indian airlines, marking 19th consecutive month of ban

Pakistan extended the closure of its airspace to Indian aircraft for another month, with the restriction remaining in place until November 24, the Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA) said on Saturday.

“Pakistan’s airspace will remain closed to Indian aircraft until November 24,” the PAA said in a new Notice to Airmen (NOTAM), making it the 19th consecutive month of the closure.

The restriction applies to all civil and military aircraft of Indian-registered airlines, the notice says. The authority added that under the extended restriction, no Indian-registered aircraft can use Pakistan's airspace, even if the aircraft has been taken on lease.

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PAA issued the new NOTAM on the government’s directions.

Earlier, the PAA extended the restriction on Indian aircraft using its airspace until October 23.

Pakistan has kept its airspace closed to Indian aircraft since April 2025, when tensions between Islamabad and New Delhi sharply escalated after an attack in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam.

The attack killed 26 people; India immediately blamed Pakistan for the incident. Pakistan, however, categorically rejected the blame and offered to support a neutral investigation.

In response, India undertook a series of hostile actions the day after the incident. On April 23, 2025, it suspended the 65-year-old Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), cancelling visas for Pakistani citizens, closing the Wagah-Attari border crossing, ordering the shutdown of the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi, and reducing diplomatic staff at each other's embassies.

Tensions further escalated in May, when missile strikes hit six cities in Punjab and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), destroying a mosque and killing dozens of civilians, including women, children, and the elderly.

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In response, Pakistan’s armed forces shot down Indian warplanes, including three Rafale jets. India then targeted several Pakistani airbases with missile strikes. In retaliation, Pakistan launched Operation Bunyanum Marsoos, damaging Indian military installations, including missile storage sites, airbases, and other strategic targets.

On May 10, 2025, United States President Donald Trump announced that a ceasefire had been reached following intense diplomatic efforts. Minutes later, the agreement was confirmed separately by Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and the Indian foreign secretary.