Pakistan has announced an extension of its ban on Indian flights using Pakistani airspace, keeping the restriction in place until May 24.
The curbs were imposed after a terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, on April 22 last year, in which 26 people were killed. Pakistan first barred Indian aircraft from flying through its airspace from April 24.
India responded by restricting Pakistani aircraft from using Indian airspace from April 30 last year. Pakistan’s airport authority, in a notice to aviation personnel, said Indian aircraft and those operated or leased by Indian airlines—including military aircraft—will not be permitted to use Pakistani airspace during the extended period.
With the Pakistani airspace ban completing a year, Indian carriers have been forced to take longer routes to reach several international destinations. Meanwhile, India’s restriction on Pakistani flights is currently in force until 5:30 am on the 24th, and it may be extended further, according to expectations cited in the report.
