Six to Eight PIA flights face disruption as India closes airspace

India has closed its airspace to all aircraft owned and operated by Pakistani entities, including military planes. This move comes as a direct response to Pakistan's recent decision to ban flights owned and operated by Indian carriers from its airspace. The tit-for-tat measures have arisen in the wake of the deadly Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed the lives of 26 people.

According to data from the International Air Transport Association's (IATA) summer schedules, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) will feel substantial impacts from this airspace closure. PIA had approvals for four weekly flights from Islamabad to Kuala Lumpur, two weekly flights from Lahore to Kuala Lumpur, and two weekly flights from Lahore to Seoul—all of which are now affected.

The decision compels Pakistan-originating flights to take extensive detours for reaching destinations such as Colombo, Kuala Lumpur, and other points in South and Southeast Asia. However, PIA's primary international routes connect Pakistani cities to Middle Eastern countries including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman, and others, which remain unaffected by the Indian ban.

Additionally, PIA announced on April 30 the suspension of flights to Gilgit, Skardu, and other destinations in the northern territories, prompting considerable concern among residents and tourists who depend on air travel for accessing these remote regions. Gilgit and Skardu serve as critical gateways to the northern territories, which lack substantial road infrastructure. The suspension is anticipated to impact passenger mobility and the transport of goods and essential supplies, with land routes often proving unreliable due to harsh weather conditions and poor road quality.

While PIA has not provided an official reason for the suspensions, insiders suggest it is part of a broader restructuring effort by the financially beleaguered airline. Under severe financial strain, PIA is believed to be cutting back on less profitable or operationally challenging routes.

On April 30, India formally issued a Notice to Air Missions (NOTAM) stating, "Indian airspace is not available to Pakistan-registered aircraft and aircraft operated or leased by Pakistan airlines. These include military flights." This announcement comes on the heels of the tragic terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, where militants with alleged links to Pakistan brutally killed 26 tourists.

The diplomatic landscape between India and Pakistan remains tense as both nations grapple with the fallout from these recent developments.