Pakistan has officially extended the ban on Indian-registered aircraft using its airspace for another month. The restriction creates a significant hurdle for Indian carriers and will now remain in effect until March 23, 2026. This move impacts all civil, military, and private aircraft registered in India, forcing airlines to continue taking longer routes to reach western destinations. The ban was first put in place in April 2025 and shows no sign of being lifted soon due to diplomatic tensions.
Details of the airspace restriction
The Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA) issued a fresh notice confirming that the airspace ban will continue. This rule specifically blocks Indian planes from entering the flight regions of Karachi and Lahore. The ban applies from ground level to unlimited altitude, meaning no Indian plane can fly over Pakistan territory.
Reports indicate that Indian aviation authorities will likely respond with a similar extension, banning Pakistani aircraft from Indian airspace. This reciprocal action is expected shortly as the current Indian restriction is also set to expire. The ban does not apply to international airlines from other countries, which can still fly through both airspaces.
Impact on passengers and airlines
The biggest impact of this decision falls on the common traveler and Indian airlines. Because planes cannot fly straight over Pakistan, they must take a detour south over the Arabian Sea or north through other routes. This adds anywhere from 15 minutes to 3 hours to the total flight time for trips to the US, Europe, and the Middle East.
This extra flying time burns more fuel, which costs airlines a lot of money. To manage these high operational costs, airlines may pass the burden to passengers. Estimates suggest that ticket prices on affected international routes could go up by 35% to 40%.
| Entity | Estimated Impact |
|---|---|
| Total Industry Loss | ₹7,000 Crore annually |
| Air India | ₹4,000 Crore loss |
| IndiGo | ₹1,300 Crore loss |
| Fuel Costs | Increased by 29% on long routes |
Airlines are trying to find solutions. Air India is reportedly talking to the government to negotiate new routes over China to reduce travel time. However, until a solution is found, passengers should be prepared for longer journeys and higher fares.
