In a clear sign of persistent hostilities following a recent military conflict, Pakistan has prolonged its airspace closure for all Indian aircraft until January 24, 2026, continuing a standoff that has already inflicted significant financial losses on India’s aviation sector.
The Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA) confirmed the extension in a Notam (Notice to Airmen) issued on Wednesday. The directive, effective from December 16, 2025, maintains the prohibition on all Indian-owned, operated, and leased aircraft, including military flights, from entering Pakistani airspace.
This latest move lengthens the total duration of the airspace embargo to 210 days. The restrictions were first put in place eight months ago after New Delhi suspended the Indus Water Treaty, a decision prompted by the Pahalgam attack in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).
The situation escalated when India reciprocated by closing its airspace to Pakistani carriers on April 30. Tensions peaked in May when Indian forces launched attacks on several Pakistani cities, triggering a large-scale retaliatory strike by Pakistan codenamed Operation Bunyanum Marsoos.
During this swift operation, Pakistani forces successfully targeted numerous Indian military positions, downed seven Indian fighter jets, including three advanced Rafale jets, and intercepted dozens of drones. The intense hostilities, which lasted for at least 87 hours, were halted by a ceasefire agreement brokered by the United States on May 10.
While Pakistani aviation operations have remained largely unaffected by the reciprocal measures, this is not the first instance of such a disruption. Islamabad previously enacted similar airspace closures during the 1999 Kargil conflict and again after the 2019 Pulwama crisis, both of which caused greater operational and financial disruption for Indian airlines.