As the Indian Government recently repealed the Article 370 in Kashmir, stripping off the special privileges of the people in Kashmir; Pakistan has cut all trade ties with India and has now closed a part of its airspace to India to show its solidarity with the feelings of the Kashmiris.
This has resulted in an increased travel time for overseas flight. An estimated 12 minute increase could take place for such planes and it might affect a little on the fuel bills of the airlines. The decision came after PM Imran Khan held a meeting with Pak’s National Security Council.
Earlier Pakistan’s airspace remained closed for Indian airlines from Feb 26, 2019 and was opened on July 16 by The Civil Aviation Authority of Pakistan.
Following India’s surprise attack on Jaish E-Mohammed’s terrorist camp in Balkot on Feb 26, Pakistan announced a ban on Indian Airlines to fly over its airspace. This resulted in a loss of Rs.549 Crore by the airlines in India. Flights had little option to choose other routes and had to undertake distant routes. Retaliating to the move, India too had placed a ban on the neighbor but removed it on May 31 when Narendra Modi took the office of the Prime Minister for the second time.
Pakistan still didn’t comply or agree to return the same but India remained quiet. Earlier, Shahrukh Nusrat, Secretary of Pakistan’s Aviation Department said that the ban made by Pak would only be removed if India removes its fighter planes in forward bases.
But India didn’t bother to comply to it as the country is committed to the focus of the safety of the country first. Nonetheless Pakistan announced that India can use its airspace from 16.7.2019 like it did earlier. This is due to the mammoth loses Pakistan was facing from closing the airspace; as it enjoyed a lot of income from planes from flying over it.
Indian flights have started flying like it once did. It must be noted that Spice Jet and Go Air met with Rs.30.73 crore and Rs.2.1 Crore loss till June 30, while IndiGo faced a Rs.2.5 Crore loss. Air India was the biggest loser with Rs.491 Crores loss till July 2.