Reporting snapshot · 20 January 2026. This report reflects the NOTAM and figures as published on 20 January 2026.
What happened
Pakistan extended the closure of its airspace to Indian-registered aircraft by another month, with the Pakistan Airports Authority issuing a new Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) that keeps the restriction in place until 24 February 2026. The Nation reported on 20 January 2026 that the NOTAM, issued with federal government approval, bars Indian commercial passenger flights, military aircraft and private jets from transiting Pakistani airspace. The restriction has been in effect since 23 April 2025.
Why it matters
The extension keeps one of the most visible aviation measures from the 2025 Pakistan-India confrontation in force, pushing Indian carriers onto longer routes around Pakistani territory and adding to their operating costs. The report said Indian airlines have incurred losses amounting to billions of rupees because of longer flight paths and increased operational expenses. Because the NOTAM covers every category of Indian flight, it affects scheduled airlines as well as charter, military and private operations that would otherwise use the corridor.
What is still uncertain
The report did not state whether the two sides are holding talks on restoring overflight rights, and it included no Indian response to the extension. It also did not quantify the cumulative effect on Pakistani air-navigation revenue from the continued closure. The measure runs only to 24 February 2026, and whether it will be renewed again after that date was not indicated.
Sources & reporting notes
This article summarises published reporting and is not eyewitness reconstruction. Sources were reviewed on 20 January 2026.
- The Nation — Pakistan extends ban on Indian aircraft, airspace closure prolonged until Feb 202620 January 2026 · The new NOTAM, the 24 February 2026 end date, the categories of Indian aircraft covered, the April 2025 start of the restriction and the reported losses to Indian airlines.
