Pakistan Extends Airspace Ban on Indian Aircraft to August 23

The Pakistan Airports Authority extended its closure of Pakistani airspace to all Indian-registered, operated, owned, and leased aircraft, including military flights, until 11:59 p.m. on August 23, 2026. The restriction, announced via a Notice to Airmen on July 19, applies to both the Karachi and Lahore flight information regions and extends a previous ban that would have expired on July 24.

These reciprocal airspace closures began in late April 2025 following a terror attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir, that killed 26 people. India alleged that Pakistan backed the attack, while Pakistan denied involvement and proposed a neutral probe. Since then, both nations have continued to extend these bans on a monthly basis as tensions persist.

The ongoing restrictions have forced Indian carriers, such as Air India, to reroute long-haul flights to Europe and North America. This shift has resulted in increased fuel and operational costs for airlines and longer travel times for passengers.