ISLAMABAD; Pakistan has extended its airspace restrictions for Indian-registered aircraft until August 23, continuing a months-long ban that reflects ongoing diplomatic and military tensions between the two South Asian neighbors.
A fresh Notice to Airmen (NOTAM), issued by the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority, reaffirms that all Indian-registered aircraft remain barred from entering Pakistani airspace, whether for overflight, landing, or transit purposes.
The airspace closure was first implemented on April 23 as a retaliatory measure after India unilaterally suspended the Indus Waters Treaty—a cornerstone water-sharing agreement between the two countries—following a deadly militant attack in Pahalgam, located in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).
The incident escalated into military strikes from both sides, resulting in casualties on Pakistani soil and prompting a limited conflict that was later halted through international mediation, primarily by the United States.
Since then, the overflight ban has been periodically extended, affecting numerous Indian commercial carriers that rely on Pakistani airspace for more direct international routes, particularly flights to Europe and West Asia.
The continued restriction has imposed substantial financial burdens on Indian airlines due to longer flight times and increased fuel consumption, reportedly causing losses amounting to millions of dollars.
Officials in Pakistan have clarified that the restrictions will remain in place until further notice and that no exemptions are currently being considered for Indian-registered aircraft.
The move underscores the fragile state of India-Pakistan relations, where diplomatic disengagement and strategic retaliation continue to disrupt not only bilateral ties but also regional aviation and connectivity.
