Pakistan’s airspace remains open for all civil aviation flights: PAA

Pakistan’s airspace remains fully open and safe for all civil aviation, including commercial flights, the Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA) said on Tuesday.

Air traffic services and airports are operating normally without any restrictions on arrivals or departures, the PAA said in response to recent media reports suggesting a “partial closure” of Pakistan’s airspace for commercial flights.

“This interpretation is incorrect and misleading,” it added.

To ensure the uninterrupted flow of traffic, the PAA said, air traffic services continue without hindrance, and alternative routing options are available and routinely used for all affected flows.

“No restrictions have been imposed on commercial operations, arrivals, departures, or overflights across Pakistan. Our air traffic controllers and airport teams are fully operational and managing traffic normally,” the authority maintained.

The NOTAM in question (A0134/26, referencing A0130/26), which has been misinterpreted, is a routine operational advisory, the PAA said. It said the NOTAM announces the temporary unavailability of specific ATS route segments within the Karachi and Lahore Flight Information Regions (FIRs) during daily windows (0900-1500 PKT) from March 3 to 31. “These segments are closed from ground level (GND) to unlimited altitude (UNL) due to standard operational reasons,” it said, while urging media outlets and social media users to refer to official PAA statements and avoid sensational or inaccurate headlines that may cause unnecessary concern among passengers and the public.

“Pakistan Airports Authority remains committed to transparency, safety, and the highest standards of aviation service,” the authority added.