Pakistan suspends flights to Gilgit and Skardu

Following the escalating tensions with India after the Pahalgam false flag operation, Pakistani authorities have significantly tightened security over their airspace, leading to the suspension of all domestic flights to Gilgit and Skardu.

The move comes in response to heightened security concerns following recent regional developments, reported the 24NewsHD TV channel on Wednesday.

According to the sources, the decision to suspend flights to the northern regions was made after a review of national airspace safety protocols.

Additionally, all other flights to the northern areas of Pakistan have also been temporarily halted as a precautionary measure.

Pakistan has further initiated stringent monitoring of foreign flights, with special attention on international airlines arriving from India.

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) is now under strict instructions to track and scrutinise all inbound foreign aircraft.

It is important to note that airspace between the two countries has remained closed to each other since earlier decisions by both governments, with tensions showing no signs of easing.

On April 24, following directives from the National Security Committee (NSC), Pakistan’s Aviation Division suspended permissions for Indian airlines to use its airspace.

A Notice to Airmen (NOTAMN) was issued, initially for one month, banning Indian carriers including Air India, IndiGo, and Akasa Air from traversing Pakistani skies. This restriction also applies to Indian military and VIP aircraft.

Aviation experts estimate that Indian airlines could incur losses of up to $500 million per month due to Pakistan’s airspace ban.

The restrictions have caused extended flight times, increased fuel consumption, and mounting operational costs for Indian carriers.

A similar scenario played out in 2019 following the Pulwama attack, when airspace restrictions reportedly cost Indian airlines INR 700 crore in additional costs.

Flights such as Air India’s Toronto-Delhi route had to make unscheduled refuelling stops in Copenhagen, while others were diverted to Abu Dhabi and Ahmedabad.

Pakistani authorities said that the airspace restrictions are part of broader national security measures and remain in effect until further notice.

Approximately 200 to 300 Indian flights, including 70–80 round-trip international operations, routinely used Pakistan’s airspace before the current closure.

The impact has been immediate, with around 50 Indian flights reportedly affected on the first day of the ban.

PIA cancels six flights

Passengers scheduled to arrive or depart for Northern Areas faced severe hardships as Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) on Wednesday cancelled its six flights to and from Northern Areas with immediate effect.

A PIA flight PK-601 which was scheduled to depart from Islamabad for Gilgit was cancelled. Another PIA flight PK-451 was cancelled the flight was scheduled to land in Skardu from Islamabad.

The flight was scheduled to take-off from New Islamabad International Airport (NIIA) for Skardu.

PIA flight PK-605 was cancelled. The flight was scheduled to land in Gilgit from Islamabad. PIA flight PK-603 was also cancelled. The flight was scheduled to land in Gilgit from Islamabad.

PIA flights PK-602 and PK-604 were cancelled. Both flights were scheduled to depart from Islamabad for Gilgit.  

Only two Airblue flights PA-251 and PA-252 were operated successfully. The flight was bound for Skardu from Islamabad and back.

Reporters Saeed Ahmad Saeed, Tayyab Saif and Aqsa Shahid