Islamabad — Pakistan has decided to keep its airspace closed to Indian aircraft for another term, extending the ban until August 24 amid ongoing regional tensions.
According to the Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA), the restrictions began at 3:20 pm on July 18 and will remain effective until 4:59 am on August 24. The ban covers all Indian-registered aircraft and planes leased by Indian authorities or airlines.
The airspace closure was first enforced after the April 22 attack in Indian-administered Kashmir that escalated friction between the two nuclear-armed states. Since then, Indian airlines have been rerouting flights to Europe, the Middle East, and the United States, resulting in longer journeys, higher fuel costs, and increased ticket prices.
Aviation analysts note that the ban has severely disrupted operations for Indian carriers, while also raising travel times for thousands of passengers. With the extension, the situation is expected to continue straining both airlines and travellers in the coming weeks.