Pakistan extends airspace ban on Indian aircraft until November 2026

Pakistan has extended its airspace restrictions on Indian aircraft until November 24, 2026, according to a Notice to Airmen issued by the Pakistan Airports Authority. The previous expiry date was October 24, 2026.

The ban covers Indian-registered aircraft and any aircraft owned, operated or leased by Indian airlines and operators, military flights included. It applies to both of Pakistan's flight information regions, Karachi and Lahore.

First introduced in April 2025 after relations between India and Pakistan worsened, the measure is extended by the latest notice rather than changed.

Flights from northern India heading west bear most of the impact. Services to Europe, the United Kingdom, the Middle East, the Caucasus and North America that once crossed Pakistan directly now take longer paths, frequently over the Arabian Sea and through Iranian airspace.

Air India, IndiGo and Air India Express are among the carriers affected. Longer routings raise fuel burn and operating costs and complicate crew scheduling, aircraft rotations and flight planning, according to the report. Some long-haul services have required technical stops to refuel. Others have seen schedule changes or temporary suspensions.

The restrictions have also fed into network planning. Air India is cutting some European flying for the 2026 winter season, suspending Delhi to Copenhagen and Vienna and trimming frequencies on other routes, with the airline citing several reasons.