City
Epaper

Pakistan opens airspace 5 months after military escalation with India (2nd Lead)

By IANS | Updated: July 16, 2019 16:20 IST

Pakistani authorities on Tuesday announced the complete reopening of the country's airspace for civilian flights, nearly five months after the military escalation with India.

Open in App

"With immediate effect Pakistan airspace is open for all type of civil traffic on published ATS (Air Traffic Service) routes," according to a notice to airmen (NOTAMS) published on the CAA's website.

Pakistan partially opened its airspace in March but it continued to remain closed on its eastern and southern side to prohibit flights from India.

Pakistan closed off its airspace on February 27, resulting in the cancellation of all domestic flights and the diversion of international flights, although operations were partially resumed at a handful of airports a short while later, reports Efe news.

Pakistan's move came after the Indian Air Force's February 26 Balakot strike which was in retaliation to the February 14 suicide bombing in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district that killed 42 CRPF troopers.

The attack was carried out by the Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed terror group.

Following the Balakot strike, Islamabad bombed Indian territory, triggering air combat in which fighter jets were shot down and an Indian pilot was captured by Pakistan, though he was released.

Tuesday's development comes after Pakistan Aviation Secretary Shahrukh Nusrat told a parliamentary committee last week that Islamabad would not open its airspace until India de-escalates.

"The Indian government approached asking us to open the airspace. We conveyed our concerns that first India must withdraw its fighter planes placed forward," Dawn news reported citing Nusrat as telling the Senate Standing Committee on Aviation.

Thousands of commercial and cargo flights were disturbed due to the closure as the Pakistan airspace is located in a key aviation corridor.

( With inputs from IANS )

Tags: pakistanindiaAir Traffic ServicePakistan Aviationbalakot
Open in App

Related Stories

NationalPahalgam Terror Attack: Amit Shah Directs States to Identify and Deport Pakistani Nationals

MumbaiViral Sighting of Tesla Cybertruck Near Mumbai Stirs EV Enthusiasm (Photos)

NationalPakistan Fires Small Arms Along LoC, Indian Army Retaliates Effectively

NationalPakistan Shuts Border, Suspends Shimla Agreement, Trade and Airspace for Indian Airlines

NationalIndian Citizens With Valid Visas Denied Entry Into Pakistan at Attari-Wagah Border; Video Goes Viral

International Realted Stories

InternationalTaiwan defends medical tourism amid probe into illegal entry of Chinese nationals

InternationalUNSC asks all countries to cooperate in bringing Pahalgam terrorists, backers to justice

InternationalProlonged heatwave to grip Pakistan starting today

InternationalPakistan: Protesters hold ground over canal row, reject official promises

InternationalPope Francis’ funeral today; world leaders arrive in Vatican to pay last respects