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No Fly Zone Sustained: PAA Extends Sky Ban on Indian Civilian and Military Aircraft Until June 24
The Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA) has issued a fresh NOTAM extending the total ban on Indian civilian and military aircraft using Pakistani airspace until June 24, 2026. Applying to both the Karachi and Lahore Flight Information Regions, the restriction sustains a year-long aviation standoff sparked by geopolitical tensions in April 2025, continuing to force significant rerouting and financial strains on Indian airlines.
ND
by News Desk
2026-05-19
No Fly Zone Sustained: PAA Extends Sky Ban on Indian Civilian and Military Aircraft Until June 24

Detailed Report

  • The Airspace Blockade Sustained: The Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA) issued a fresh Notice to Airmen (Notam) on Tuesday, extending the comprehensive ban on all Indian aircraft for another month. The restriction, which was previously scheduled to expire on May 24, has now been officially extended until 4:59 AM on June 24, 2026. The new extension went into effect immediately at 10:40 AM on May 19.

  • Scope of the Total Ban: The sweeping aviation embargo explicitly bars any Indian-registered aircraft, as well as any aircraft owned, operated, or leased by Indian companies and operators. The restriction also enforces a complete shutdown against all Indian military flights. According to official aviation frameworks, the Notam strictly applies to both of Pakistan's primary Flight Information Regions (FIRs):

    • Karachi FIR (OPKR)

    • Lahore FIR (OPLR)

  • The Root of the Aviation Conflict: The mutual airspace closures began in late April 2025 following a sharp escalation in bilateral hostility. Tensions peaked after a deadly security incident in Pahalgam, located in Indian-occupied Kashmir. New Delhi leveled unproven allegations implicating Islamabad, which Pakistan strictly denied while countering with an offer for an independent, neutral investigation.

  • Retaliation and Air Battle: In response to a series of aggressive measures taken by New Delhi, Pakistan’s top military brass retaliated on April 24, 2025, by completely shuttering its skies to Indian aviation. The diplomatic standoff eventually culminated in a fierce cross-border aerial battle in May 2025, during which Pakistani forces stated they successfully downed seven Indian fighter jets. The ongoing airspace closure continues to force severe flight rerouting and heavy fuel penalties on Indian commercial transit corridors.
Tagged:

#AirspaceBan #PakistanAirportsAuthority #PakIndiaTensions #AviationNews #KarachiFIR #LahoreFIR #Geopolitics #AviationBlockade #BreakingNewsPakistan
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