Islamabad: Pakistan’s Airports Authority incurred a revenue shortfall of Rs 4.1 billion over a little more than two months due to the closure of its airspace to Indian airlines, official data shows.
The mutual airspace restrictions were imposed by both Pakistan and India after the April 22 Pahalgam terrorist attack in Kashmir, which killed 26 people, mostly tourists. Tensions escalated further after India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7, targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan-controlled territories during a four-day conflict.
According to a statement by the Ministry of Defence to the National Assembly on Friday, the ban — in place from April 24 to June 30 — caused significant losses in overflying revenue, Dawn reported. The ministry clarified that the figures represent “revenue shortfalls, not overall financial losses,” and noted that overflight and aeronautical charges remain unchanged.
Currently, Pakistan’s airspace remains open to all except Indian carriers, while Pakistani airlines are likewise barred from Indian skies.
