Foreign Airlines Resume Overflights, Air France Diverts Flights

Following the recent ceasefire between Pakistan and India, several foreign airlines have started utilizing Pakistani airspace once again, according to sources at the Pakistan Airport Authority (PAA). However, Air France is still rerouting its flights, leading to a considerable surge in fuel expenditures.

Earlier this month, during the period of military skirmishes between Pakistan and India, major international airlines, such as Swiss Air, Lufthansa, British Airways, and Emirates, had temporarily ceased operations in Pakistani airspace, citing enhanced security concerns.

Flights destined for Indian cities like Amritsar, Delhi, Ahmedabad, and Mumbai were subject to revised routes, resulting in augmented travel durations and higher operational expenses.

PAA representatives stated that since the implementation of the ceasefire, carriers including Swiss Air, Lufthansa, British Airways, Etihad, and Emirates have restarted their regular schedules and are now traversing Pakistani airspace. Flights bound for India and various other destinations are now employing the more direct routes across Pakistan.

Despite the resumption of standard operations by numerous airlines, Air France flights en route to Delhi, Bangalore, Ahmedabad, and Mumbai are still bypassing Pakistani airspace. This continuous deviation has translated into millions of dollars in additional fuel charges for the French airline.

Aviation insiders suggest that other Air France flights directed to different nations are also circumventing Pakistan.

In related news, Pakistan has opted to prolong the embargo on its airspace for Indian flights by an additional month, effective Wednesday. An official Notice to Airmen (Notam) is anticipated to be disseminated imminently.

Under the regulations set forth by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), airspace limitations can only be enforced for monthly intervals, necessitating recurrent extensions.

India initially enforced its airspace closure to Pakistani flights on April 23, which prompted a parallel countermeasure by Islamabad the following day. On May 6 and 7, India initiated unprovoked offensives against Pakistani cities.

Pakistan responded on May 10 with Operation Bunyan-um-Marsoos, which targeted Indian military installations. Subsequently, a ceasefire was brokered and remains in effect.

The airspace embargo has significantly impacted India’s aviation sector, while Pakistan’s aviation industry has encountered limited interference due to restricted Far East operations and the rerouting of only a single eastbound flight via China.