India Extends Ban on Pakistan Aircraft Using Airspace Till May 24

India has extended the restriction on Pakistan-registered and Pakistan-operated aircraft from using its airspace till May 24 , according to a fresh Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) issued on Wednesday.

With this latest extension, the closure of Indian airspace for Pakistani flights has now continued for over a year , first imposed in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, 2025 , in which 26 people were killed. The move was part of India’s security and diplomatic response following the incident, and has since been extended repeatedly on a monthly basis.

The NOTAM states that Indian airspace will remain unavailable for Pakistan-registered aircraft, as well as aircraft owned, operated or leased by Pakistani airlines and operators , including military flights . The restriction will be effective till 2359 hours (UTC) on May 23, which corresponds to 0530 hours (IST) on May 24.

Pakistan has also extended its own airspace closure for Indian aircraft till May 24 , keeping in place a reciprocal restriction regime between the two countries since April 2025.A NOTAM is an official aviation notice used to communicate critical operational information affecting flight safety and routing .

The airspace closure was initially imposed as part of measures taken by India against Pakistan following the terror attack , and has remained in force since April 30, 2025 , with continuous extensions.

The ongoing restrictions reflect continued diplomatic strain between India and Pakistan , with both sides maintaining their respective bans. In the absence of any breakthrough in relations, the measures have been extended periodically rather than lifted .

As a result, Indian airlines continue to face longer international flight routes , particularly on west-bound sectors, leading to higher fuel consumption, increased flight time, and operational costs .The situation highlights how security concerns and geopolitical tensions continue to directly impact civil aviation connectivity in the region.