Afghan Chief Executive Dr Abdullah Abdullah has welcomed Pakistan's decision to reopen its airspace to all commercial flights, on Wednesday. In a tweet, Abdullah wrote that the air connectivity and affordable airfare played an important role in South Asia's regional integration, which is vital for the region's prosperity.
Pakistan's airspace was re-opened completely for flights, the Civil Aviation Authority said in its notice to Airmen (NOTAM) on July 16. Pakistan shut its airspace on February 27 this year, forcing carriers to reroute flights, after an aerial dogfight between Pakistan and Indian air forces.
"With immediate effect Pakistan airspace is open for all type of civil traffic on published ATS (Air Traffic Service) routes," a NOTAM published on the CAA's website said.
Pakistan had recently dismissed the request of India to open the airspace until the latter de-escalates, Aviation Secretary Shahrukh Nusrat told a parliamentary committee.