Reopening of airspace by Pakistan brings relief to Indian flights: Indian ministry

As Pakistan reopened its airspace Tuesday for all civilian traffic nearly five months after its closure during a dispute with India, India said the decision has brought significant relief for airlines.

A British Airways aircraft lands on a runway at the Islamabad International Airport on the outskirts of Islamabad, capital city of Pakistan, on June 3, 2019. [File Photo: VCG]

"After cancellation of NOTAMS (Notice to airmen) by Pakistan and India in the early hours today, there are no restrictions on airspaces of both countries, flights have started using the closed air routes, bringing a significant relief for airlines," a statement issued by India's federal Ministry of Civil Aviation said.

Pakistan early Tuesday reopened its airspace for all type of civil traffic. It fully closed its airspace in February after Indian warplanes crossed the Line of Control in the disputed Kashmir region and dropped "payload."

Following the closure, flights had to be rerouted. The closure is said to cost Indian airlines tens of millions of dollars.

Reports said the state-owned carrier Air India suffered the worst losses.

India's Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri last week told parliament that Indian service providers - Air India, SpiceJet, IndiGo and GoAir - lost nearly 80 million U.S. dollars due to the closure of the Pakistani airspace.