-
-
Foreign airlines have resumed using Pakistani airspace after a recent ceasefire between Pakistan and India, except for Air France, which continues to reroute its flights.
According to the Pakistan Airport Authority (PAA), major international carriers like Swiss Air, Lufthansa, British Airways, Emirates, and Etihad have returned to flying over Pakistan.
These routes had been suspended earlier this month due to military clashes between the two countries.
Flights to Indian cities, including Delhi, Amritsar, Ahmedabad, and Mumbai were rerouted adding hours of travel time and increasing operational costs.
However, Air France still avoids Pakistani airspace for its flights to Delhi, Bangalore, Ahmedabad, and Mumbai, leading to millions of dollars in extra fuel expenses.
According to media reports the other Air France flights to different regions are also bypassing Pakistan.
Meanwhile, Pakistan on Wednesday extended its airspace ban for Indian flights by another month. A Notice to Airmen (Notam) will be issued as required by international regulations, which allow such restrictions for only one month at a time.
India first shut its airspace to Pakistani planes on April 23, and Pakistan responded with a similar ban the next day.
On May 6 and 7, India launched unprovoked attacks, prompting Pakistan’s Operation Bunyanum Marsoos on May 10, targeting Indian military posts.
A ceasefire followed and is still holding. While India’s aviation industry has been severely affected, Pakistan’s air travel operations remain mostly stable, as only one eastbound flight to the Far East was rerouted via China.
