Pakistan Extends Ban on Indian Flights Over Airspace Dispute

Pakistan has extended its ban on Indian aircraft from entering its airspace until 24 December, the Civil Aviation Authority announced.

The directive applies to all aircraft registered in India, operated or owned by Indian airlines, including military flights.

According to a new Notice to Airmen (NOTAM), commercial Indian airlines, Indian-registered aircraft, and the Indian Air Force are prohibited from entering Pakistani airspace until 4:59 a.m. local time on 24 December. The extension comes just four days before the previous ban was set to expire.

The initial ban was imposed on 24 April in response to India closing its airspace to Pakistani aircraft, following rising bilateral tensions after the Bahaljam terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir. On 23 May, Islamabad extended the restrictions for another month. With the latest extension, Pakistan’s airspace closure to Indian flights totals 244 days.

Relations between India and Pakistan deteriorated further after the 22 April attack near Bahaljam, which killed 25 Indian citizens and one Nepali national.

India has accused Pakistan’s intelligence agency of involvement in the attack, while Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif denied any Pakistani link to the incident.