Pakistan’s skies remain firmly shut to Indian planes — and with the latest extension pushing the deadline to May 24, 2026, the closure is now past the one-year mark with no signs of lifting.

The Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA) has issued a fresh Notice to Airmen (NOTAM), extending the airspace ban for Indian aircraft to May 24, 2026. The decision follows the same pattern of monthly renewals that has been in place since the crisis began in April 2025.

How It All Started

The closure began on April 24, 2025, after Pakistan shut its airspace to all Indian carriers following India’s missile strikes in Operation Sindoor — itself a response to the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people. India had suspended the Indus Water Treaty in the wake of the attack, which Pakistan treated as a hostile act. India then mirrored the move, closing its own airspace to Pakistani airlines on April 30.

Monthly Extensions With No Break

Since the first closure, the PAA has renewed the ban every month through fresh NOTAMs covering both the Karachi and Lahore Flight Information Regions. The fact that each new NOTAM is issued well before the previous one expires makes clear this is not a temporary measure — it is the new normal, at least for now. The restriction covers all Indian-registered civil aircraft, military flights, and planes owned, operated, or leased by Indian airlines.

Heavy Losses for Indian Airlines

The ban has pushed Indian airlines onto longer detour routes, increasing fuel costs by up to 29% and adding up to three hours on key international flights. Air India alone estimates the closure has cost it over $455 million in annual profit — more than its entire loss for fiscal 2024–25. Around 800 weekly Indian flights have been rerouted, affecting services to West Asia, Europe, the UK, Central Asia, and North America.

IndiGo and Others Also Hit Hard

IndiGo saw flight times to Central Asian destinations rise by three hours or more. Its Delhi–Almaty and Delhi–Tashkent routes were suspended entirely, as the longer detours pushed them beyond the range of its narrow-body aircraft. SpiceJet and Air India Express also reported added hours on Middle East routes. Air India even lobbied the Indian government to seek access to Chinese military airspace over Xinjiang to shorten its routes.

Pakistan’s Aviation Impact — Minimal

While India’s airlines are bleeding, the impact on Pakistan’s aviation sector has remained limited. Pakistan International Airlines has a small international network and was already under financial stress before the ban. This asymmetry has drawn comment from analysts, who note that the restrictions hurt India far more than Pakistan in practical terms. The ban carries more political weight than economic logic — for both sides.

Japan’s EC-2 EW Aircraft — Worth Watching

Away from South Asia’s bilateral dispute, Japan’s new electronic warfare aircraft is drawing attention in regional defence circles. The Kawasaki EC-2 is expected to complete development in fiscal year 2026 and enter service in 2027, assigned to the Electronic Warfare Operations Group at Iruma Air Base. Built on the C-2 transport airframe, the EC-2 carries a large nose-mounted antenna for wideband jamming over hundreds of kilometres, targeting enemy radars and communications from a safe standoff distance. Its development is relevant given how heavily electronic warfare featured in the May 2025 India-Pakistan conflict.

Historical Comparison

Pakistan has imposed airspace bans before — during the 1999 Kargil conflict and the 2019 Pulwama crisis — and in both cases Indian airlines suffered greater disruption than Pakistani ones. But the current closure has already outlasted both of those episodes combined. Aviation experts now say continued renewals could make this the longest airspace ban in the entire history of India-Pakistan relations.

What to Expect Next

Diplomatic efforts have so far produced no breakthrough. Any easing of the restrictions would require serious confidence-building steps from both governments. With the ban now confirmed until May 24, the next deadline will tell whether this is finally moving toward resolution — or heading into yet another extension.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Air India still banned from Pakistan airspace?

 Yes. Air India remains fully barred under the current NOTAM extending the ban to May 24, 2026. The airline has been rerouting long-haul flights via longer paths, significantly increasing costs and travel times.

Are Indian planes allowed in Pakistan airspace?

 No. All Indian-registered aircraft — commercial, military, or leased — are prohibited from transiting Pakistani airspace. The ban covers both the Karachi and Lahore Flight Information Regions and has been active since April 23, 2025.

Can Pakistan use F-16 jets against India?

 Pakistan operates F-16s but US end-user agreements limit their use to counterterrorism missions. During the May 2025 conflict, Pakistan flew its Chinese-supplied JF-17 and J-10C fighters in combat roles instead, keeping the F-16s out of direct engagement to avoid complications with Washington.