Islamabad:
Pakistan has extended the suspension of its airspace for Indian airplanes for another month, according to a new notification issued by the authority of the Pakistan Airport (PAA) on Thursday.
The closure of the airspace, originally imposed on April 23, in the midst of high tensions with India, will now remain in force until August 23, according to the new notice for aviators (Notam) issued by the authority.
According to the notification, all aircraft operated by Indian Airlines or registered in India are still prohibited by using Pakistani airspace. The prohibition also covers civil and military planes of Indian or leased property.
Read too: Pakistan, US
The ban was enforced for the first time after an outbreak between the two neighbors with nuclear weapons earlier this year. Although a fire was negotiated through US mediation, airspace restrictions have been maintained in place.
Last month, the PAA had similarly extended the ban until July 23, reaffirming its continuous application despite diplomatic back channels.
The suspension has significantly impacted the routes of the Indian carriers to the west, which has forced them to adopt longer flight routes around Pakistan, a development that has led to higher fuel costs and travel times.
