Pakistan partially restores airspace after hours-long closure
Restoration begins from Jinnah International Airport of Karachi: CAA
Restoration begins from Jinnah International Airport of Karachi. PHOTO: FILE
The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) announced partially restoring the country’s airspace after keeping it closed for several hours following Pakistan Air Force’s (PAF) encounter with the Indian fighter jets along the Line of Control (LoC) on Wednesday.
“Pakistani airspace has partially restored, starting with Jinnah International Airport of Karachi. Following flights have departed, WY324 KHI MCT, EK601 KHI DXB,” the CAA announced in a tweet. “North East & North Western airspace remains closed until further notice,” it added.
The Civil Aviation Authority had earlier declared an aerial emergency, saying Pakistani airspace is closed until further notice.
CAA sources said that the country's airspace would remain closed till Thursday midnight.
All local and international commercial flights were suspended following escalating tension between India and Pakistan on Wednesday.
Gulf Air and Emirates Airlines also released statements saying all flights to and from Pakistan suspended with immediate effect due to the closure of Pakistani airspace.
All local and international commercial flights had been suspended across the country.
In a tweet, CAA said "flight operations in North Eastern & North Western regions of Pakistan is suspended temporarily".
According to FlightRadar, "international flights that transit between Indian and Pakistani airspace now being affected. Some flights returning to origin, while others appear to be seeking alternate routing."
India has also shut at least four airports in the northern part of the country, a government official told Reuters, after Pakistan Air Force struck Indian targets across the Line of Control from within Pakistani airspace on Wednesday.
Sheikh Rasheed imposes railway emergency
Railways Minister Sheikh Rasheed had also declared an emergency on Pakistan Railways, saying the entire country is prepared to respond to India. He further added the next 72 hours are crucial in this situation.
“Pakistani airspace has partially restored, starting with Jinnah International Airport of Karachi. Following flights have departed, WY324 KHI MCT, EK601 KHI DXB,” the CAA announced in a tweet. “North East & North Western airspace remains closed until further notice,” it added.
The Civil Aviation Authority had earlier declared an aerial emergency, saying Pakistani airspace is closed until further notice.
CAA sources said that the country's airspace would remain closed till Thursday midnight.
All local and international commercial flights were suspended following escalating tension between India and Pakistan on Wednesday.
Gulf Air and Emirates Airlines also released statements saying all flights to and from Pakistan suspended with immediate effect due to the closure of Pakistani airspace.
All local and international commercial flights had been suspended across the country.
In a tweet, CAA said "flight operations in North Eastern & North Western regions of Pakistan is suspended temporarily".
According to FlightRadar, "international flights that transit between Indian and Pakistani airspace now being affected. Some flights returning to origin, while others appear to be seeking alternate routing."
India has also shut at least four airports in the northern part of the country, a government official told Reuters, after Pakistan Air Force struck Indian targets across the Line of Control from within Pakistani airspace on Wednesday.
Sheikh Rasheed imposes railway emergency
Railways Minister Sheikh Rasheed had also declared an emergency on Pakistan Railways, saying the entire country is prepared to respond to India. He further added the next 72 hours are crucial in this situation.