Pakistan has extended the closure of its airspace for Indian aircraft until December 23.
According to a new NOTAM issued by the Pakistan Airport Authority, the airspace will remain closed to all Indian passenger and military aircraft.
Pakistan has kept its airspace closed for India since April 23, 2025. The continued closure has resulted in billions of rupees in financial losses for Indian airlines.
Air India is pressuring the Indian government to convince China to let it use a sensitive military airspace zone in Xinjiang to shorten routes as the financial toll from a ban on Indian carriers flying over Pakistan mounts, Reuters reported on Wednesday.
Due to the closure of Pakistani airspace, Air India’s flights to Western countries have not only faced increased fuel costs but also extended travel times by nearly three hours. As a result, the airline is trying to persuade the Indian government to secure permission to use Chinese airspace.
This unusual request comes just weeks after direct flights between India and China resumed following a five-year suspension caused by border clashes between the two countries.
