Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) officially published a NOTAM (opinion to aviators) announcing the closure of its air space to airlines registered with the Indians, following Islamabad’s decision to suspend surflux authorizations in response to growing tensions with New Delhi, said Express News.
The restriction of airspace applies to all civil and military aircraft registered with the Indians, as well as in rented or operated by Indian carriers. The CAA said that the ban will initially remain in place for a month.
“This action means that Indian airlines will not be allowed to use the Pakistani airspace,” read the notification. “The restriction includes civil and military planes, as well as aircraft rented under Indian operational control.”
This decision should have a significant impact on Indian airlines, with daily bilateral overflights ranging from 70 to 100. Flights to large Indian cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Goa and Lucknow regularly use Pakistani airspace en route to destinations in the Middle East, Europe and beyond.
Indian carriers affected by the ban include Air India, Air India Express, Indigo, Spicejet and Akasa Air. The closure will be added up to two hours of flight and will result in millions of rupees in additional operational costs, estimate aviation analysts.
