Pakistan prolongs ban on Indian flights through its airspace until late October

Pakistan's aviation authority issued a NOTAM extending the ban on all Indian-registered aircraft, including those operated, owned or leased by Indian airlines, until 04:59 am on 24 October 2026. The prohibition applies to both the Karachi and Lahore flight information regions. The measure follows the closure of each other's airspace in late April 2025 after heightened tensions sparked by a fatal attack in Pahalgam, which Pakistan denied involvement in.

Since then, Pakistan has repeatedly renewed the ban, compelling Indian airlines to fly longer, more expensive routes. Air India, the country's primary international carrier, says the diversion has lifted fuel expenses by as much as 29 % and added up to three hours to certain journeys, costing the airline an estimated $455 million in annual profit-before-tax loss. The ban underscores ongoing geopolitical friction and its ripple effects on regional aviation economics.