Pakistan Extends Airspace Ban on Indian Airlines Until January 23

Pakistan has extended its airspace ban on Indian airlines until January 23, following a closure that began in April. This ongoing restriction has severely affected flight operations, with around 800 weekly flights impacted, particularly those from Northern India to various international destinations. The ban has forced airlines to take longer routes, increasing travel times and operational costs. As both countries continue to enforce these airspace restrictions, the aviation industry faces significant challenges in scheduling and fuel consumption. Read on for more details about the implications of this extended ban.

By Narendra Chaudhary Dec 17, 2025, 18:34 IST

Pakistan's Airspace Closure Continues

Pakistan has announced an extension of its airspace ban on Indian airlines and aircraft, prolonging the closure until January 23, as per a recent notice issued by the country's aviation authorities.

The airspace was initially closed to Indian carriers on April 24, following an attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, on April 22.

The original ban, which was set for one month, prohibited Indian-registered aircraft and those operated, owned, or leased by Indian airlines from flying over Pakistani airspace.

In response, India closed its airspace to Pakistani airlines on April 30.

Since then, both nations have periodically renewed their respective airspace restrictions.

While Indian and Pakistani airlines are not permitted to use each other's airspace, flights from other countries can still overfly both regions.

This latest extension comes just a week before the previous notice was due to expire on November 24, which is also the date when India's reciprocal ban on Pakistani aircraft is set to end.

The ongoing airspace closure has had a significant impact on flight operations, affecting approximately 800 weekly flights operated by Indian airlines, especially those traveling from Northern India to various destinations in West Asia, Europe, the UK, and Eastern North America.

As a result, these flights have had to take longer routes, leading to increased travel times ranging from 15 minutes to several hours, depending on the destination.

These diversions have also resulted in higher fuel consumption and added complexity in crew and flight scheduling, ultimately raising operational costs for airlines.