Pakistan lost over Rs 1,240 crore in 2 months after closing its airspace to Indian aircrafts
PTC News Desk: Pakistan has incurred significant financial losses following its decision to close its airspace to Indian-registered aircraft, with the Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA) losing over Rs 1,240 crore (PKR 4.1 billion) in just two months, Dawn reported, citing a statement from the Defence Ministry.
The closure was imposed in retaliation to India’s suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty after the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which claimed the lives of 26 people, mostly tourists.
Meanwhile, Pakistan has extended the closure of its airspace to Indian aircraft till August 24. "The ban will now remain in place until 4.59 am on August 24. Pakistani airspace not available for Indian-registered aircraft and aircraft operated, owned, or leased by Indian airlines/operators, including military flights," a NOTAM issued by the PPA read.
According to the report, Pakistan Defence Minister Khawaja Mohammad Asif confirmed that due to the ban, which came into effect on April 24, the country had suffered a massive loss in overlying revenue. Pakistan has revoked flight permissions for all Indian-registered aircraft, including those operated, owned, or leased by Indian carriers.
Indian airlines continue to operate normally on other international routes, while Pakistani carriers remain prohibited from entering Indian airspace. The Minister of State for Civil Aviation has stated that the NOTAM will stay in effect until August 23, 2025.
The Pahalgam attack, which killed 26 civilians, was claimed by The Resistance Front (TRF), a Lashkar-e-Taiba offshoot based in Pakistan. In retaliation, India undertook several countermeasures, including Operation Sindoor, aimed at dismantling major terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied-Kashmir (POK).
- PTC NEWS
