Pakistan has extended its airspace ban on Indian aircraft until 24 July 2026, keeping Indian carriers locked out of Pakistani skies for another month.
Here is exactly what changed, who it hits, and what it means for your trip.
The ban now runs to 24 July 2026
The Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA) issued a fresh NOTAM extending the closure, which had been due to end on 24 June.
According to the notice, the renewed restriction took effect at 5:50pm on 16 June and runs until 4:59am on 24 July 2026.
The restriction is broad. It applies to:
- All Indian commercial airlines and their scheduled flights
- Aircraft leased by Indian carriers
- Privately owned planes belonging to Indian citizens
- Any flight operated or managed by an Indian entity
- Indian military aircraft, which the NOTAM covers alongside civilian flights
This is the latest in a long run of monthly extensions.
Pakistan and India have kept their airspace closed to each other’s airlines since late April 2025.
India has imposed a reciprocal ban on Pakistani aircraft using its airspace, so the closure works both ways.
Which airlines are affected
Only Indian-registered carriers are barred from Pakistani airspace. The main airlines affected are:
- Air India: hit hardest on long-haul routes to North America and Europe
- IndiGo: affected on routes to Europe, Central Asia and West Asia
- SpiceJet: longer flight times on northern routes, including Dubai–Delhi
- Akasa Air: affected on its growing international network
Foreign airlines are not affected by this ban. Pakistan reopened its airspace to non-Indian carriers in May 2025, so Gulf and international airlines can still overfly Pakistan normally.
That means Emirates, Qatar Airways and Etihad are unaffected, even on flights to and from India.
Domestic flights within India are also unaffected, since they don’t use Pakistani airspace.
How your flights and routes are affected
Longer flight times
Indian carriers must detour around Pakistan instead of flying the direct corridor west.
The detours are most severe on long-haul routes. Air India has rerouted many North America–bound flights south over the Arabian Sea, with refuelling stops in Vienna or Copenhagen.
According to Air India’s own documents cited by Skift, fuel costs on affected routes have risen by up to 29% and some long-haul journeys have grown by as much as three hours.
Central Asia and Europe routes are also stretched. IndiGo’s flights to Central Asian cities like Tashkent have added roughly three hours each way.
Schedule changes
IndiGo suspended its new Copenhagen service and scaled back Delhi–UK flying as the longer routings made some services uneconomic.
The financial toll is significant. Air India estimated about $600 million in extra costs if the ban lasts a full year.
Practical steps for affected passengers:
- Check the total journey time — some routes now include a refuelling stop that wasn’t there before
- Allow longer connection windows if you have an onward flight, since arrival times have shifted
- Compare carriers — a foreign airline overflying Pakistan may now be faster on the same route
- Confirm your schedule close to departure, as Indian airlines continue to adjust timings
If a longer routing matters to you, it’s worth comparing your options. You can check live schedules and which airlines fly your route using the Wego flight tracker.
For travellers on Gulf and other foreign carriers, nothing changes; your flights to and from India continue to use Pakistani airspace as normal.
There’s no indication the ban will lift on 24 July; each extension so far has simply been renewed for another month.
Frequently Asked Questions
Until when is Pakistan’s airspace closed to Indian aircraft?
The current NOTAM keeps the ban in place until 4:59am on 24 July 2026. Pakistan has renewed the closure monthly since April 2025, so a further extension is possible.
Are Emirates, Qatar Airways and other foreign airlines affected?
No. The ban applies only to Indian-registered aircraft. Foreign carriers can overfly Pakistan normally, including on flights to and from India.
Will my domestic flight within India be affected?
No. Domestic Indian flights do not use Pakistani airspace, so they are unaffected by the closure.
Which routes have the longest delays?
Long-haul routes to North America and Europe are the most affected, with some adding up to three hours and a refuelling stop. Central Asia routes such as Delhi–Tashkent have also added around three hours each way.
Sources
- Pakistan Today — Pakistan extends airspace ban on Indian aircraft until July 24
- Dawn — PAA extends airspace ban on Indian aircraft until July 24 (full NOTAM wording)
- Arab News — Pakistan extends airspace ban on Indian aircraft to July 24
- News on Air (Govt. of India) — India extends ban on Pakistani aircraft from entering its airspace
- Overview — 2025–2026 Pakistani airspace closure for Indian airlines (with primary-source citations)
- Skift — IndiGo cuts Europe flights as airspace disruptions ripple across Indian aviation
- Al Jazeera — Pakistan airspace ban could cost Air India $591m over 12 months
Disclaimer: Wego strives to ensure all information presented in this article is accurate and up to date at the time of publication. Travel policies, prices, visa requirements, and conditions can change rapidly. We strongly recommend verifying critical details with official sources before making travel decisions. Wego does not accept liability for any inaccuracies, oversights, or changes that may occur after publication.
