The Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA) has extended the closure of national airspace to Indian aircraft through September 24.
The aviation regulator issued a Notice to Airmen (Notam) detailing the decision ahead of the expiration of the previous ban on August 23. “Pakistan airspace not available for Indian-registered aircraft and aircraft operated or leased by Indian airlines/operators, including military flights,” the PAA stated in the notice.
The restriction covers both Flight Information Regions (FIRs) under national jurisdiction, namely the Karachi (OPKR) and Lahore (OPLR) FIRs.
Islamabad and New Delhi shut their respective airspaces to reciprocal commercial and military traffic in April 2025 following a fatal attack in Pahalgam, located in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu & Kashmir.
Following the incident, Indian authorities claimed Pakistani involvement without presenting evidence. Pakistani officials denied the allegations and requested an independent investigation.
On April 24, military leadership in Islamabad executed retaliatory measures against Indian diplomatic actions, imposing an immediate ban on all Indian-owned and Indian-operated flights. The government maintained the restriction through repeated extensions over the following months.
Tensions escalated into aerial engagements in May, during which Pakistani forces downed seven Indian military jets.
