Karachi, December 17, 2025 – Pakistan has extended the closure of its airspace to Indian aircraft for an additional month, keeping the restriction in effect until January 24, 2026, according to a Notice to Airmen (Notam) issued by the Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA) on Wednesday.
The Notam specifies that the ban, effective from December 16, 2025, applies to all Indian-owned, operated, and leased aircraft, including military flights. The PAA noted that this extension continues an existing airspace restriction that has been in place for the past eight months.
The airspace closure is part of ongoing tensions between the two countries, following India’s suspension of the Indus Water Treaty after the deadly Pahalgam attack in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). In retaliation, Pakistan initially blocked Indian airlines and India subsequently closed its airspace to Pakistani carriers on April 30, 2025. The initial closure was extended on May 23, and the latest extension brings the total closure to 210 days.
The escalation follows unprovoked Indian attacks on Pakistani cities on May 6-7, which prompted Pakistan to launch “Operation Bunyanum Marsoos”, targeting multiple Indian military positions. During the conflict, Pakistan downed seven Indian fighter jets, including three Rafale, and numerous drones. The 87-hour conflict concluded with a US-brokered ceasefire on May 10.
Historically, Pakistan has imposed similar airspace restrictions during the 1999 Kargil conflict and the 2019 Pulwama crisis, with Indian aviation typically experiencing greater disruptions than Pakistan’s domestic industry. Analysts note that while Indian airlines continue to suffer losses, the impact on Pakistani aviation remains minimal.