South Asia

Pakistan extends airspace ban on Indian flights

Published: 13:13, 19 February 2026

Pakistan has prolonged its ban on Indian aircraft using its airspace for another month, extending the restriction until March 23 amid continuing diplomatic strain between the two nuclear-armed neighbours.

The Pakistan Airports Authority issued a fresh Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) confirming that all Indian-registered civil and military aircraft remain prohibited from entering or transiting through Pakistani airspace. The restriction, originally imposed on April 23, 2025, has now been in force for nearly ten months.
Islamabad first closed its skies to Indian carriers following a sharp escalation in bilateral tensions. In response, India introduced reciprocal measures on April 30, barring Pakistani airlines from its airspace, further deepening the aviation standoff.
The prolonged restrictions have forced Indian airlines to reroute flights to Europe, North America and the Middle East, resulting in longer travel times and increased fuel consumption. Industry analysts estimate that extended diversions have added millions of dollars in operational costs for Indian carriers, particularly on westbound long-haul routes that would otherwise pass over Pakistani territory.
Pakistani aviation officials, however, maintain that the domestic impact has been comparatively limited. With no direct overflight fees from Indian aircraft during the closure, Pakistan has seen some loss of transit revenue, but authorities argue that overall aviation operations within the country have remained stable.
Relations between Pakistan and India have been strained over longstanding disputes, including Kashmir, cross-border security concerns and diplomatic tensions. Previous airspace closures in 2019, following a military crisis, similarly disrupted regional aviation and highlighted how geopolitical disputes can quickly spill over into commercial air travel.
There has been no immediate indication of diplomatic progress that would lead to a lifting of the restrictions. Observers say the continued extension of the ban reflects the absence of meaningful dialogue between the two sides, with aviation becoming another arena affected by the broader political deadlock.