Pakistan has extended the closure of its airspace for Indian civilian and military aircraft until Jan 23, 2026, according to a fresh Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) issued by the Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA).
The restriction, which was first imposed on April 23, 2025, will continue to apply to all Indian passenger and military flights, officials said, adding that the decision followed a routine review of the prevailing regional security situation.
The prolonged closure has resulted in significant financial losses for Indian airlines, which have been forced to operate longer routes to avoid Pakistani airspace. Industry estimates suggest the extended detours have cost Indian carriers billions of rupees in additional fuel consumption and operational expenses since April.
The ban will remain in force until further notice.
Earlier reports indicated that Air India had approached the Indian government to explore the possibility of securing permission from China to use a sensitive military airspace corridor over Xinjiang in order to shorten flight paths. The request came amid mounting financial pressure on Indian airlines due to the continued restriction on overflights through Pakistan.
The move followed the resumption of direct India-China flights after a five-year suspension triggered by a deadly border clash in the Himalayan region.
Air India, which operates the country’s largest international network, has been attempting to rebuild its global operations after a London-bound Boeing 787 Dreamliner crashed in Gujarat in June, killing 260 people and prompting temporary flight reductions for safety checks. However, these efforts have been complicated by the ongoing closure of Pakistan’s airspace.
According to a document submitted by Air India to Indian officials in late October and reviewed by Reuters, fuel costs for the airline have risen by up to 29 per cent, while journey times on some long-haul routes have increased by as much as three hours due to the enforced rerouting.
