Pakistan reopens airspace for all civil aviation

After months of restrictions imposed on its airspace, Pakistan reopened on Tuesday its airspace for all civil aviation including India with immediate effect.

According to a notice to airmen (NOTAMS) published on the authority’s website, the airspace has been reopened. "With immediate effect Pakistan airspace is open for all type of civil traffic on published Air Traffic Service routes," the notification said.

In February, Pakistan fully closed its airspace following a dogfight with India after the neighbour violated the international boundary and airspace by Indian fighter jets. Many international carriers using Pakistani airspace were affected by the ban each day, costing them both time and fuel.

However, Pakistan had partially reopened its airspace but kept it closed for the Indian flights. The neighbour too had banned its airspace for flights to Pakistan.