Pakistan Extends Airspace Ban on Indian Flights Until March 23

Pakistan airspace ban on Indian flights continues as the country has extended the closure of its skies to all Indian aircraft until March 23. The Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA) issued a fresh Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) following a government decision on Wednesday.

The ban applies to every aircraft registered in India. This includes planes owned, operated, or leased by Indian airlines and Indian military flights. Both major flight regions in Pakistan Karachi (OPKR) and Lahore (OPLR) are affected under this order.

Pakistan first closed its airspace to Indian planes in April 2025. The move followed the Pahalgam attack in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), which killed 26 people. New Delhi alleged Pakistan’s involvement but did not provide evidence. Islamabad denied the claims and offered support for a neutral investigation.

Tensions escalated in May 2025 when Pakistan and India faced their most serious military clash in decades. Pakistani officials said seven Indian jets were shot down. Although a ceasefire was later negotiated with US mediation, the airspace restriction has stayed in place.

The extended ban has caused major operational challenges for Indian airlines. They must take longer routes to reach destinations in the Middle East, Europe, and the United States. Analysts estimate that fuel costs have increased by up to 29%, and some flights now take three hours longer. Air India previously warned that the ban could reduce its annual pre-tax profit by roughly $455 million, prompting the airline to seek temporary government support.

The PAA has confirmed that the ban will remain effective until March 23, leaving Indian airlines to adjust operations and costs for continued restricted access to Pakistani airspace.