27 February, 2019

Pakistan airspace closure having dramatic affect on aviation

The turbulent tensions between Pakistan and India are having a serious effect on the aviation industry with many airlines halting services to Pakistan or having to reroute services to avoid Pakistani airspace which has been closed to all commercial traffic.

Many airlines have suspended service to Pakistan, including Emirates, British Airways, Qatar Airways as the tensions continue to mount.  Etihad, flydubai, Gulf Air, SriLankan Airlines and Air Canada also suspended services to the country and whilst Thai had been forced to cancel all Europe bound flights due to the closure of Pakistani airspace.  The Bangkok based Thai has said it seeking approvals to operate via different routes.

Many international airlines usually travel over both Indian and Pakistani airspace have had to reroute, including services by British Airways, Aeroflot, Singapore Airline and Finnair.  

Qatar Airways confirmed it had halted eight cities in India and Pakistan “due to the ongoing situation on the India-Pakistan border”. Gulf Air,  flydubai, Etihad, Air Canada have all also suspended services to the area because of the closure of airspace.   

Singapore Airlines has also advised that some of its European bound flights would have to make a technical stop to refuel.



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