Pakistan extends Indian airspace ban

Pakistan has extended until November 24, 2026, the ban on its airspace for Indian aircraft, a restriction that has been in place since April 2025. This measure requires Indian airlines to reroute flights around Pakistan, which affects flight times, fuel use, and the planning of long-haul flights.

NOTAM updates the restriction

The Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA) issued a new NOTAM, which is a notice to airmen, updating the airspace restriction. The new NOTAM took effect on October 17 and will expire on November 24, 2026. It applies to aircraft registered in India or operated by Indian airlines, including military flights, and even some foreign-registered planes leased by Indian operators.

Flight regions affected

The ban covers the two main flight information regions of Pakistan, Karachi and Lahore, identified by the codes OPKR and OPLR. The restriction continues an existing policy without introducing new flight cancellations, but the date of November 24 does not guarantee that the airspace will reopen after that.

Impact on long-haul flights

The closure of Pakistani airspace has particularly affected flights from northern India to Europe, the UK, the Middle East, and North America. These routes previously used Pakistani airspace for a more direct path. Air India and IndiGo have both reported longer flight times and possible schedule changes due to the detour.

Fuel costs and profitability

The additional distance caused by rerouting has increased fuel costs for Indian airlines. As winter approaches, Indian economic media reports that the closure of Pakistani airspace, along with rising kerosene prices, is affecting the profitability of Air India's international network.

Flight suspensions and other factors

According to BusinessLine, Air India plans to suspend non-stop flights between Delhi and Copenhagen, as well as between Delhi and Vienna, in its winter schedule. However, Vienna will still serve as a technical stop for some flights to the US and Canada. These changes are not solely due to the airspace closure, as Air India also cited high fuel prices and maintenance issues in its recent schedule adjustments.

Aircraft availability and maintenance

Air India has also suspended the Delhi–Washington route due to the immobilization of some of its Boeing 787-8 aircraft for cabin upgrades. The closure of Pakistani airspace compounded this temporary reduction in long-haul capacity, which is expected to last until at least the end of 2026.

Origins of the airspace ban

The airspace restrictions are part of the deteriorating relations between India and Pakistan following an attack in Pahalgam, Indian-administered Kashmir, on April 22, 2025, which killed 26 people. Both countries imposed reciprocal airspace closures in the days that followed, and these restrictions have been periodically renewed since then.