ISLAMABAD: Pakistan fully reopened its airspace on Monday, the Civil Aviation Authority said.
“All airports across Pakistan are operational and airspace reopened,” a spokeswoman for the CAA said, adding the process completed by 1:00 pm on Monday.
The decision to close the airspace came last Wednesday after a rare aerial dogfight between India and Pakistan over the disputed territory of Kashmir ignited fears of an all-out conflict, with world powers rushing to urge restraint. The closure disrupted major routes between Europe and South Asia, leaving thousands stranded worldwide. It also delayed attempts to search for a British and an Italian climber who went missing on Nanga Parbat, Pakistan’s ‘killer mountain’ and the ninth highest peak in the world, as rescue teams were forced to wait for permission to send up a helicopter.
Pakistan began reopening its airspace ‘gradually’ from Friday, with flights allowed in and out of major cities. But the backlog means major delays are still expected and authorities have urged passengers to check for the latest information with their airlines.
Published in Daily Times, March 5th 2019.
