Pakistan has extended its airspace closure for all Indian civil and military aircraft until March 23, according to a new notice issued by the Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA). The ban covers both Karachi (OPKR) and Lahore (OPLR) flight information regions (FIRs).
The airspace restrictions follow heightened tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbors after the April 2025 Pahalgam attack, which killed 26 people. Pakistan has consistently denied involvement and offered a neutral investigation, while India alleged Pakistani support without evidence.
The closure affects flight routes and international carriers, with reports earlier indicating that Air India was seeking China’s approval to use Xinjiang airspace to shorten routes. The extension reflects continuing diplomatic strain between Pakistan and India.
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