The Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA) confirmed on Saturday that Indian-registered aircraft, along with planes owned, operated, or leased by Indian carriers, remain grounded in Pakistani airspace until 4:59 am on November 24, 2026. This extension locks in a restriction that has been in place since April 23, 2025, effectively barring all commercial and military Indian flights from crossing the border for another year.
A fresh Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) issued by the PAA covers both the Karachi and Lahore flight information regions, leaving no gaps in the blockade. Geo News reported that a PAA spokesperson verified the issuance of the notice, signaling that the suspension is not a temporary pause but a long-term strategic decision. The ban mirrors the reciprocal closure India enacted on April 30, 2025, when New Delhi shut its airspace to Pakistani airlines following the Pahalgam attack in Jammu and Kashmir.
The two nations have traded airspace closures during previous crises, most notably during the 1999 Kargil conflict and the 2019 Pulwama terror attack, but the current standoff has persisted for the longest duration. India accused Islamabad of orchestrating the Pahalgam attack, a claim Pakistan firmly denied, while diplomatic channels remained frozen.
Airlines have already rerouted flights to avoid the restricted zones, increasing fuel costs and flight times for international routes that previously crossed the border. With the ban now extended into late 2026, carriers must continue factoring these detours into their operational budgets.
Diplomatic observers will watch for any shifts in military posture or bilateral talks before the November deadline, though the issuance of a one-year extension suggests neither side anticipates a quick resolution to the underlying tensions.