By The Sampadak Express
Amid heightened tensions following the recent Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed the lives of at least 26 people, Pakistan has closed its airspace to Indian flights—a move that is now proving to be financially damaging for the country.
The attack has further strained India-Pakistan relations, prompting both sides to take retaliatory measures. India has taken several strong steps including suspending the Indus Waters Treaty and cancelling visas issued to Pakistani citizens. In response, Pakistan decided to block its airspace for Indian aircraft.
However, this action has had serious economic repercussions for Pakistan. According to reports, Pakistan previously earned between Rs 30 to 40 crore per month in overflight fees from Indian flights alone. These fees are charged when international flights pass through a country’s designated airspace and are regulated by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
This is not the first time Pakistan has resorted to such a measure. After the Balakot air strikes in 2019, a similar airspace closure led to an estimated loss of over Rs 500 crore. With the recent closure again in effect, it’s likely that Pakistan is losing crores each day.
Indian carriers, meanwhile, are being forced to reroute flights, leading to longer travel times and increased operational costs. Addressing these challenges, Civil Aviation Minister K. Rammohan Naidu stated that the government is in talks with airlines and monitoring the situation closely. “Any decisions will be taken after careful assessment,” he noted.
As diplomatic and aviation officials work on potential solutions, both the aviation industry and passengers continue to feel the impact of the geopolitical standoff.
