Airspace ban continues till August 24 as Pakistan extends restrictions on Indian aircraft
Pakistan has extended the ban on Indian aircraft using its airspace until August 24, according to a new Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) issued by the Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA).
Under the latest notification, Indian-registered, operated, owned, and leased aircraft will not be allowed to fly through Pakistani airspace. The restriction will continue to apply to both Indian civilian and military aircraft.
The airspace closure has been extended several times over the past few months. Earlier, the restriction was prolonged until June 24, before that until May 24, April 24, and March 23.
Pakistan first closed its airspace to Indian aircraft in April 2025 after tensions between Islamabad and New Delhi sharply increased following an attack in Pahalgam in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, where 26 people were killed.
India blamed Pakistan for the attack soon after it happened. Pakistan rejected the allegations and offered to support an independent and neutral investigation into the incident.
Following the attack, India announced several measures against Pakistan. These included suspending the 65-year-old Indus Waters Treaty, cancelling visas for Pakistani citizens, closing the Wagah-Attari border crossing, shutting down the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi and reducing diplomatic staff at both countries’ embassies.
The situation worsened in May when missile strikes hit six cities in Punjab and Azad Jammu and Kashmir. According to Pakistan, the attacks damaged a mosque and killed dozens of civilians, including women, children, and elderly people.
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Pakistan responded by saying its armed forces shot down several Indian warplanes, including three Rafale fighter jets. India later launched missile strikes on Pakistani airbases, after which Pakistan carried out Operation Bunyanum Marsoos, targeting Indian military installations, missile storage sites, and airbases.
A ceasefire was announced on May 10, 2025, after diplomatic efforts led by the United States. US President Donald Trump announced the agreement, which was later confirmed separately by Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and the Indian foreign secretary.
Despite the ceasefire, the continued extension of the airspace ban shows that relations between the two neighbouring countries remain tense.
