The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) Saturday further delayed the reopening of Pakistan's airspace for transit flights till tomorrow (Monday). According to the latest notification issued by the airport operating body, Pakistan's airspace which had been closed since Friday for transit flights and was due to reopen on Saturday at 3:00pm has been delayed further till Monday (March 11).
It was further revealed that all transit flights from east to west and vice versa will not be able to utilise the airspace till 3:00pm on Monday. On the other hand, it was revealed that flights flying from the country's north and south have been given permission.
Furthermore, Sukkur, Sialkot and Rahim Yar Khan Airports will also remain closed till March 11. Pakistan had closed its airspace last week following escalating tensions with India. Flights between Asia and Europe were disrupted, stranding thousands of passengers, although airlines were later able to reroute many flights through China that normally pass over Pakistan.
Flights from Singapore to Europe, that usually cross Pakistan and Afghanistan, for example, were rerouted westwards over Oman, adding more than an hour's flying time and boosting fuel costs. Iran also saw heavier use of its airspace, officials said.