Pakistan has decided to extend its’ airspace ban for Indian flights. Pakistan will take a decision on the airspace ban only after knowing the verdict of the general election.
Pakistan fully closed its airspace after an Indian Air Force strike on a Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) terror camp in Balakot on February 26. However, Pakistan opened its airspace for all flights except for New Delhi, Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur on March 27.
The Pakistan government will now consider the lifting of the ban on Pakistan’s airspace for Indian flights on May 30. Pakistan’s Science and Technology Minister Fawad Chaudhry early this week said that the status quo will remain till the conclusion of elections in India.
Owing to the flight ban on its airspace by India, Pakistan has suspended its operation for Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur which is causing a loss of millions of rupees per day.
The airlines and civil aviation authorities of both countries are enduring massive losses. The flights between Europe to Far-East are not only facing huge financial losses, but the flight duration has also increased, while the airlines have also increased their ticket prices.
Pakistan in mid-April had opened one of its 11 air routes for west-bound flights from India and airlines such as Air India and Turkish Airlines have started using it. The operating cost for Air India, which flies to destinations in Europe and the US, reportedly has increased significantly as it had to take longer routes due to the closure of Pakistan airspace.
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