Pakistan reopens airspace after India standoff

Pakistan has fully reopened its airspace to civilian flights, nearly five months after it was closed during a dispute with India.

Pakistan shut its airspace in February after India carried out an air strike against what it described as a terrorist training camp at Balakot.

The attack was in retaliation for a suicide bombing in Indian-administered Kashmir that killed more than 40 Indian soldiers.

Flights via Pakistan were cancelled and other flights rerouted after Pakistan shut its airspace on 26 February.

A notice to airmen published on the authority’s website states that with immediate effect Pakistan airspace is open for all type of civil traffic routes.

The decision to reopen the airspace is expected to particularly help air India which had to reroute its international flights

India’s aviation minister Hardeep Singh Puri told the parliament recently that the closure cost Indian airlines tens of millions of dollars, with companies forced to reroute flights.