Pakistan extends ban on Indian aircraft until late September

Pakistan has extended its airspace closure to Indian aircraft through September 24, continuing a freeze on bilateral aviation that began after the terror strike in Pahalgam in April 2025. The decision maintains symmetrical restrictions that both countries implemented in the aftermath of the attack, which had sparked sharp tensions between the neighbouring nations.

The airspace ban has significantly disrupted commercial operations for airlines from both countries, forcing carriers to reroute flights around the restricted zones. Indian and Pakistani airlines have absorbed substantial costs from the extended flight paths required to bypass the closed airspace, affecting schedules and passenger services across South Asia.

The restrictions represent one of several measures the two countries have maintained since the Pahalgam incident. While both nations imposed matching limitations on each other's aviation access, indicating a degree of reciprocity in their response, the ongoing extension signals that diplomatic efforts to normalise air corridors remain stalled.

Neither government has indicated a timeline for reopening airspace, though industry representatives from both sides have urged decision-makers to reconsider the restrictions given their economic impact on regional air connectivity. The closure continues to complicate travel and cargo movements across South Asia during a crucial commercial period.