Pakistan
Risk Level: Two - Danger exists
[ about risk levels ]
Tensions between Pakistan and India in the disputed Kashmir region, along with longstanding militant activity in parts of western Pakistan, create an ongoing risk in the OPKR/Karachi and OPLR/Lahore FIRs. In May 2025 there was a period of intense cross border shelling and aerial activity in Kashmir. A ceasefire has largely held since then, but the situation remains fragile and military activity could resume with little warning.
Several states and EASA maintain altitude based restrictions rather than full avoidance. Current guidance generally advises operators to remain at or above FL260.
The primary risks are from anti aviation weaponry, including the potential availability of MANPADS, particularly below FL260, as well as inadvertent risk from military activity or misidentification in the Kashmir region.
Major events:
Feb 2026: Cross border strikes between Pakistan and Afghanistan escalated. No new airspace closures or overflight bans issued, and commercial traffic continues to transit OAKX/Kabul FIR, including via P500 and G500.
May 2025: Four days of cross border strikes and shelling between India and Pakistan in the Kashmir region. A ceasefire announced on 10 May has largely held. Some operators temporarily rerouted south via the Gulf of Oman and UAE.
Jan 2024: Iran conducted missile and drone strikes against a militant group in western Pakistan, highlighting cross border military activity risk.
Dec 2023 - ongoing: Crew reports of GPS spoofing began emerging in the OPLR/Lahore FIR area, particularly around OPLA/Lahore.
Feb-Aug 2019: Pakistan closed its airspace to overflights following major clashes with India in the Kashmir region, including airstrikes on both sides.
Several states and EASA maintain altitude based restrictions rather than full avoidance. Current guidance generally advises operators to remain at or above FL260.
The primary risks are from anti aviation weaponry, including the potential availability of MANPADS, particularly below FL260, as well as inadvertent risk from military activity or misidentification in the Kashmir region.
Major events:
Feb 2026: Cross border strikes between Pakistan and Afghanistan escalated. No new airspace closures or overflight bans issued, and commercial traffic continues to transit OAKX/Kabul FIR, including via P500 and G500.
May 2025: Four days of cross border strikes and shelling between India and Pakistan in the Kashmir region. A ceasefire announced on 10 May has largely held. Some operators temporarily rerouted south via the Gulf of Oman and UAE.
Jan 2024: Iran conducted missile and drone strikes against a militant group in western Pakistan, highlighting cross border military activity risk.
Dec 2023 - ongoing: Crew reports of GPS spoofing began emerging in the OPLR/Lahore FIR area, particularly around OPLA/Lahore.
Feb-Aug 2019: Pakistan closed its airspace to overflights following major clashes with India in the Kashmir region, including airstrikes on both sides.
Current warnings list :
| Source | Reference | Issued | Valid to | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Italy | Notam LIRR E2887/25 | 16 Dec 2025 | 15 Mar 2026 | |
| Germany | AIC 08/25 | 29 Oct 2020 | Ongoing | |
| France | AIC 002/26 | 09 Apr 2020 | Ongoing | |
| EASA | CZIB 2018-02 R19 | 10 Jan 2018 | 30 Apr 2026 |
Source: Italy
Reference: Notam LIRR E2887/25
Issued: 16-Dec-25, valid until: 15 Mar 2026
Plain English: Italian operators should avoid the airspace of Pakistan below 25000ft AGL.
ITALIAN AIR CARRIERS AND CAPTAINS OF AIRCRAFT IN CHARGE OF AIR SERVICES OPERATED BY CARRIERS HOLDING AN OPERATING LICENSE ISSUED BY ITALY, WHETHER THEY ARE CONTRACTUAL CARRIERS AND OR OPERATING CARRIERS, OR PERFORMING AIR SERVICES THROUGH A WET LEASE OR A CODESHARE AGREEMENT AS WELL AS FOR ANY FLIGHT MADE WITH AN AIRCRAFT REGISTERED IN ITALY WHEN PLANNING FLIGHT OPERATIONS ARE RECOMMENDED TO AVOID LAHORE FIR (OPLR) AND KARACHI FIR (OPKR) BELOW HEIGHT 25000FT AGL MONITORING EASA SAFETY DIRECTIVES.
Source: Germany
Reference: AIC 08/25
Issued: 29-Oct-20, valid until: Ongoing
Plain English: Caution to German operators below FL260 in the airspace of Pakistan due to potential risks from anti-aviation weaponry.
Level 1 (Lowest risk).
SECURITY - HAZARDOUS SITUATION IN PAKISTAN
Civil German air operators are advised to take potential risk into account in their risk assessment and routing decisions within FIR KARACHI (OPKR) and FIR LAHORE (OPLR) below FL260. Potential risk from anti-aviation weaponry and possible terrorist attacks at all airports.
SECURITY - HAZARDOUS SITUATION IN PAKISTAN
Civil German air operators are advised to take potential risk into account in their risk assessment and routing decisions within FIR KARACHI (OPKR) and FIR LAHORE (OPLR) below FL260. Potential risk from anti-aviation weaponry and possible terrorist attacks at all airports.
Source: France
Reference: AIC 002/26
Issued: 09-Apr-20, valid until: Ongoing
Plain English: French operators overflying Pakistan airspace should be at FL260 or above.
From 09/04/2020 and until further notice, pilots in command of aircraft performing air services mentioned in paragraph 1.1 are requested to maintain at all times a flight level above or equal to FL260 in the airspace of Pakistan (OPLR FIR (LAHORE) and OPKR FIR (KARACHI)).
Source: EASA
Reference: CZIB 2018-02 R19
Issued: 10-Jan-18, valid until: 30 Apr 2026
Plain English: Operators should not enter the Baluchistan province (southwestern part of Pakistan) or the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province (northwestern part of Pakistan) below FL260.
Due to the current security situation in Pakistan with the presence of violent non-state actor groups (VNSAs), operating in particular in the provinces of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Baluchistan, with confirmed availability of anti-aviation weaponry and man-portable air-defence systems (MANPADS), there is a potential threat to civil aviation and a risk of misidentification resulting in a HIGH risk to operations at altitudes below FL 260 in the affected airspace. Although the main VNSA groups remain focused on targeting Pakistani security forces, such attacks might result in inadvertent risks to civil aviation.
Additionally, the territorial dispute in the Kashmir region, with sporadic military operations, poses a potential risk of misidentification in case of military escalation, particularly in the FIR Lahore (OPLR).
EASA recommends air operators not to conduct flights in the airspace of Pakistan, FIR Karachi (OPKR) and FIR Lahore (OPLR), over Baluchistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces below FL 260.
Additionally, the territorial dispute in the Kashmir region, with sporadic military operations, poses a potential risk of misidentification in case of military escalation, particularly in the FIR Lahore (OPLR).
EASA recommends air operators not to conduct flights in the airspace of Pakistan, FIR Karachi (OPKR) and FIR Lahore (OPLR), over Baluchistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces below FL 260.