Officials indicated that the restrictions will apply to all Indian-registered aircraft, encompassing both commercial and military flights.
This extension arrives just before the previous ban was scheduled to expire. Pakistan last extended the ban in mid-October, keeping it effective until November 24.
According to the latest NOTAM, the renewed ban commenced at 2:50 pm on November 19 and will last until 4:59 am on December 24.
Pakistan’s airspace is segmented into two primary zones, known as Flight Information Regions (FIRs), Karachi and Lahore, denoted in aviation charts as OPKR (Karachi FIR) and OPLR (Lahore FIR). The new directive from Pakistan applies to both areas, thereby covering the nation’s entire controlled airspace.
The restriction has been in force since April 24, when Pakistan implemented various retaliatory measures following India’s suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty after the Pahalgam attack, which resulted in 26 fatalities.
Air India CEO Campbell Wilson recently disclosed that the airline has incurred losses of Rs 4,000 crore due to Pakistan’s flight limitations, necessitating longer routes to reach Western destinations.
Air India has petitioned the central government to persuade China to allow Indian flights to utilize Chinese airspace over Xinjiang.
This request arises amid Pakistan’s ongoing airspace ban, which is inflicting significant financial burdens on Indian airlines. It is significant to note that flights between India and China resumed only last month after a hiatus of five-and-a-half years.
A senior official stated to The New Indian Express, “We have asked the government to communicate with China about opening a section of its military airspace for Indian flights. Due to Pakistan’s closure, Indian carriers must take longer alternate routes to access destinations in Europe and North America.”
“The outcome depends on government-to-government discussions. Without China’s consent, Air India cannot operate through that corridor,” the official further remarked.
