Feared Pakistan to close airspace over Karachi and Lahore for two weeks

Ahmedabad: Amid fears of more retaliation from the Indian Army, Pakistan has decided to close the airspace over Karachi and Lahore for almost two weeks.

According to a note to airmen (NOTAM) issued by authorities, which cites operational reasons, mentioned that the airspace will remain close for 18 hours a day for 13 days, starting October 8.

The NOTAM said that route segments of international routes within Lahore and Karachi Flight Information Regions (FIRs) will not be available from ground to FL450 (45,000 feet), meaning banning all commercial flights, as no commercial flights fly that high.

A NOTAM is a notice filed with an aviation authority to alert aircraft pilots of potential hazards along a flight route or at a location that could affect the safety of the flight.

Economic Times reported that alternative routes have been provided for overflying flights but operations of flights within Pakistan will be impacted.

The development is unlikely to cause any disruptions to operation of international flights into and out of India as alternative routes have been provided, an air traffic control official said.

Pakistan lies in a key corridor for air traffic from Europe and the Middle East to Asia, including India. Gulf countries bound aircrafts fly over Karachi, then enter India from Ahmedabad FIR before proceeding further.

Defence and aviation experts said that the closure of country’s two busiest airports could be to free up the area of commercial flights for its air force to carry out war games.