Pakistan has formally extended its prohibition on Indian aircraft utilizing its airspace through January 23, 2026, according to an official Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) issued by the Pakistan Airports Authority on Wednesday, December 17, 2025. This decision prolongs a significant aviation restriction initially imposed in the aftermath of the Pahalgam attack in April, an incident that resulted in 26 fatalities and severely escalated bilateral tensions. The monthly renewal pattern continues, with the previous mandate scheduled to lapse on December 24. This ongoing closure compels airlines operating to and from India to navigate lengthier, more fuel-intensive flight paths, particularly affecting routes to and from Afghanistan, Central Asia, and parts of the Middle East, thereby increasing operational costs and flight durations. The persistent extension underscores the deep-rooted and unresolved diplomatic discord between the two nuclear-armed neighbors, with no immediate indications of a thaw in relations or aviation cooperation. The aviation sectors of both nations, along with international carriers servicing these routes, continue to adapt to this protracted geopolitical reality.