Airspace Closures
The India–Pakistan Airspace Ban
Status: Pakistan’s airspace closed to Indian airlines until at least 24 October 2026 (NOTAM A0521/26); India’s closed to Pakistani airlines in return. Both are extended repeatedly. Airspace rules change at short notice. Always check with your airline before travelling.
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Imagine flying from Delhi to New York and landing in Vienna halfway through, not because anyone wants to visit Austria, but because the aircraft needs more fuel. Since 2025 that’s been reality on some Air India flights. Pakistan has closed its airspace to Indian airlines, and India has closed its own to Pakistani ones.
Why Pakistan’s airspace matters so much
Pakistan sits directly west and northwest of northern India. For flights from Delhi, Mumbai or other north Indian cities heading to Europe, the Middle East or North America, the shortest route crosses Pakistan. Without it, aircraft must swing south over the Arabian Sea, or take other longer paths, before turning north.
The current notice to airmen (NOTAM A0521/26, issued on 16 September 2026) keeps Pakistani airspace closed to aircraft registered in India, and to any aircraft owned, operated or leased by Indian airlines, until at least 24 October 2026. Both countries have extended their bans repeatedly, usually a month at a time.
Air India: the biggest cost
Air India runs the most long-haul flights from northern India, so it’s been hit hardest. According to figures reported from Air India’s own documents, fuel costs on affected routes rose by up to 29%, and some long-haul journeys grew by as much as three hours. The airline estimated the extra cost at around $600 million if the ban lasted a full year.
The longest routes, to North America, became too long to fly nonstop with a full load. Air India added refuelling stops, mainly at Vienna and sometimes Copenhagen, adding three to six hours to total trip times on affected flights, mostly those to and from Delhi.
The real numbers
The ban in numbers
24 Oct 2026
Current end date
Extended repeatedly
Up to 29%
Higher fuel costs
On affected Air India routes
~$600m
Air India estimate
Extra cost over a year
3–6 hrs
Longer trips
Where a fuel stop is needed
IndiGo and other Indian airlines
IndiGo, India’s largest airline, mostly flies shorter routes, but its growing long-haul network was affected too. It suspended a new Copenhagen service and scaled back some Delhi–UK flying because the longer routings made them uneconomic. Projected losses reported across Indian airlines run to hundreds of millions of dollars a year.
The Pakistani side
Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has a much smaller international network, so India’s closure affects it far less. Its main impact has been on routes to Southeast Asia, such as Islamabad and Lahore to Kuala Lumpur, which would normally cross India.
What it means for passengers
- Longer journeys. Check the real flight time, and whether a technical stop is included, when booking.
- Compare connections. Airlines from other countries, including Gulf carriers, can still fly over the region, so a connection via a Gulf hub can sometimes be faster than a nonstop with a detour.
- Watch the dates. The bans are renewed roughly monthly; airlines adjust schedules each time.
Sources & Further Reading
- Pakistan extends airspace ban on Indian aircraft — Dawn ↗
- 2025–2026 Pakistani airspace closure for Indian airlines — Wikipedia ↗
- Air India adds European fuel stops due to Pakistan detour — ch-aviation ↗
- How flying around Pakistan is affecting Indian airlines — Flightradar24 ↗
- Pakistan airspace ban could cost Air India $591m over 12 months — Al Jazeera ↗
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Indian airlines fly over Pakistan?
No. Pakistan’s airspace is closed to aircraft registered in India and to planes owned, operated or leased by Indian airlines. The current notice runs until 24 October 2026 and has been extended repeatedly.
Can Pakistani airlines fly over India?
No. India has closed its airspace to Pakistani aircraft in return, and extends its own notice in step.
Why do some Air India flights stop in Vienna?
Without Pakistani airspace, flights from north India to North America become too long to fly nonstop with a full load. Air India has used Vienna and Copenhagen as refuelling stops, which adds several hours to the journey.
Are foreign airlines affected?
Airlines from other countries can generally still fly over both India and Pakistan, so carriers such as the Gulf airlines are not affected in the same way.
How long will the ban last?
There is no fixed end date. Each country has repeatedly extended its notice to airmen (NOTAM), usually a month at a time.