India and Pakistan extend airspace closure

Pakistan closed its airspace to Indian aircraft and airlines for at least one month on April 24, amid escalating tensions following the Pulwama terrorist attack on April 22.

According to The Indian Express, India reciprocated by closing its airspace to Pakistani aircraft and airlines on April 30. The airspace closure was set to expire today (Saturday), but both countries decided to extend it for another month.

The closure of Pakistan’s airspace has affected approximately 800 weekly flights from India, with airlines facing higher operational costs due to longer flight durations, increased fuel consumption, and growing complexities in crew and flight scheduling.

Flights from northern India to West Asia, the Caucasus, Europe, the UK, and eastern North America are now 15 minutes to several hours longer.

Additionally, all major Indian airlines operate international flights to destinations west of the country, many of which typically traversed Pakistani airspace.

According to data from the airline scheduling platform Cirium, Pakistan International Airlines operates only six weekly flights to and from Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia, from Lahore and Islamabad, which typically fly over India.