Pakistan extends airspace closure on Indian border till June 14

The closure of Pakistan airspace has mainly affects flights from Europe to Southeast Asia. (File photo: Reuters)

HIGHLIGHTS

• Pakistan-based terror outfit JeM carried out the deadly Pulwama attack on a CRPF convoy on Feb 14
• In retaliation to Pulama attack, India conducted the Balakot airstrike destructing a JeM training camp
• The Balakot airtsrike led to an aerial dogfight between India and Pakistan after which the latter closed its airspace

Pakistani airspace on its eastern border with India will remain closed until June 14, a civil aviation official said on Wednesday, the latest extension months after a standoff between the arch-rivals.

"We don't expect the ban to be lifted anytime soon. It may take a while," an official said on condition of anonymity.

Pakistan closed its airspace in February after IAF carried out Balakot airstrike following the deadly Pulwama attack by Pakistan-based terror outfit JeM on a CRPF convoy.

As a result of the ban, foreign carriers using Indian airspace have been forced to take costly detours because they cannot fly over Pakistan. The closure mainly affects flights from Europe to Southeast Asia. The flights from US and Europe flying in and out of New Delhi were worst hit.

Pakistan and Indian airspace as seen on May 29. (Source: www.flightradar24.com)

National carrier Air India has long haul (14-16 hours) flights to New York, Newark, Chicago, Washington and San Francisco. Due to the airspace closure, flights from Delhi are being routed through Omani and Iranian airspace. The change in route means more fuel burn, added time and more manpower service.

It is believed that due to the change in route have the national carrier Air India have suffered a major loss.

"We would not want to comment on this. It's a diplomatic matter," an Air India spokesperson told India Today TV..

Former Executive Director Air India Jitendra Bhargava said extension of air space closure by Pakistan was expected.

"Pakistan is unlikely to open the airspace unilaterally. Considering its importance for Indian carriers, Pakistan will like to make it a part of a package that leads to talks and normilisation of relations," Jitendra Bhargava said.