Overview
- Pakistan’s aviation authority issued a NOTAM effective from Nov. 19 at 2:50 p.m. PKT to Dec. 24 at 4:59 a.m., closing Karachi and Lahore FIRs from ground to unlimited altitude to all Indian-registered and Indian-operated aircraft, including military flights.
- India’s reciprocal restriction is due to expire on Nov. 24, and officials indicate a fresh NOTAM extending the ban to Dec. 24 will be issued within days.
- Reroutings affect roughly 800 weekly flights by Indian carriers to West Asia, Europe, the UK and North America, lengthening journeys and complicating crew and fleet planning.
- Air India reports fuel costs up to 29% higher and some flights up to three hours longer, estimates an annual profit hit of about $455 million, and is lobbying for access to a Xinjiang corridor to shorten routes.
- Pakistan’s aviation revenues have also taken a hit, with the PAA reporting a Rs4.1 billion shortfall in August, while the impact on PIA remains limited due to few routes that previously overflew India.