By The South Asia Times

ISLAMABAD - Pakistan on Wednesday extended its airspace restrictions on Indian aircraft until Oct. 24, prolonging an aviation measure introduced amid heightened tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbours following their military confrontation in May 2025.

According to a new aviation notification, Pakistani airspace will remain unavailable to Indian-registered aircraft and aircraft operated, owned or leased by Indian airlines and operators, including military flights.

The latest extension takes effect from 10:45 a.m. on Sept. 16 and runs until 4:59 a.m. on Oct. 24, 2026.

The restriction has forced Indian carriers operating international routes to use longer alternative flight paths, increasing travel times and operating costs.

The airspace restrictions date back to the sharp deterioration in Pakistan-India relations following the April 2025 attack in Pahalgam, Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, in which 26 people were killed. India blamed Pakistan, while Islamabad denied involvement and called for an independent investigation; however, New Delhi refused to involve independent investigators.

India subsequently launched strikes inside Pakistan on May 7, triggering several days of cross-border missile, drone and air attacks. Pakistan had shot down multiple Indian fighter aircraft, including Rafale jets, while India acknowledged losing aircraft but disputed Pakistan's figures.

US President Donald Trump also confirmed losing ten aircraft by India.

The clash was particularly significant because it involved sophisticated fighter aircraft and long-range missiles. Pakistan said its J-10 fighter jets were involved in shooting down Indian aircraft.

The fighting raised international concerns about escalation between two nuclear-armed states. President Donald Trump announced on May 10, 2025, that India and Pakistan had agreed to halt military operations.

The United States played a significant diplomatic role during the crisis, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Vice President JD Vance conducting calls with officials in both countries. Pakistan credited Trump's intervention with helping secure the ceasefire, while India has disputed the extent of US mediation and said the cessation was reached through direct military channels.

Despite the ceasefire, relations have remained strained. On Sept. 16, 2026, India also summoned Pakistan's diplomat following a collision involving Indian and Pakistani naval units in the northern Arabian Sea, adding another point of tension between the neighbours.

The continued airspace restriction underscores that, more than a year after the 2025 confrontation, Pakistan-India relations remain fragile and significant aviation and security restrictions are still in place.