Pakistan Extends Airspace Ban for India Until November 23

ISLAMABAD, Oct 16, 2025 — Pakistan has extended its airspace ban for Indian aircraft by another month, keeping the restriction in place until November 23, 2025, according to a new NOTAM issued by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). The ban applies to both civilian and military aircraft flying to or from India.

Key Highlights:

• Pakistan has extended the airspace ban for Indian aircraft until November 23.
• The restriction applies to both civilian and military flights.
• The ban was first imposed on April 23 following a surge in cross-border tensions.
• Indian airlines are incurring major losses due to longer flight routes.

Airspace Ban Extended Amid Tensions

The airspace restriction, first enforced on April 23, 2025, has now been renewed multiple times. The measure bars Indian aircraft from using Pakistani airspace for overflights or direct routes, impacting both commercial and defence aviation.

Pakistan initially closed its airspace to Indian airlines in response to actions taken by New Delhi after the April 22 attack on tourists in Pahalgam, located in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir. India had blamed Pakistan for the incident, a claim Islamabad strongly rejected.

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Economic Impact on Indian Airlines

The continued closure of Pakistan’s airspace has forced Indian carriers to adopt longer, costlier routes for flights to the Middle East, Europe, and North America. Aviation analysts say the extended routes are increasing fuel costs and travel times, causing significant financial losses to Indian airlines.

Backdrop: Ceasefire Follows Escalation

The April 22 Pahalgam attack, which left 26 people dead, triggered a sharp deterioration in relations between the two neighbours. The next day, India suspended the Indus Waters Treaty, cancelled visas for Pakistani citizens, closed the Wagah-Attari crossing, and reduced diplomatic staff on both sides.

Tensions escalated further on May 7, when missile strikes hit six cities in Punjab and Azad Jammu and Kashmir, killing civilians. In retaliation, Pakistan’s armed forces shot down several Indian warplanes, including three Rafale jets. This was followed by Operation Bunyanum Marsoos, which targeted Indian military sites.

The confrontation came to a halt after overnight diplomacy led to a ceasefire announcement by then-US President Donald Trump. The agreement was later confirmed by Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and India’s Foreign Secretary.

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