According to a tweet by Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority’s official Twitter account, flight operations in Gilgit and Skardu Airports have been resumed. It also reported that the decision to completely open the airspace for en-route Flights will be made on 29th March 2019.
The recent Pak- India military standoff resulted in complete and partial airspace closures. Domestic flights were also affected by the closure.
Gilgit and Skardu airports are also being partially opened from 24 March 2019 in addition to Khi, Lhr, Pesh, ISB, Qta, FSD, Mltn, Gwadar, Pangaur, Dalbadin and Chitral Airports. Next decision on 29th March 2019.
— PCAAOfficial (@official_pcaa) March 22, 2019
Challenge for PIA
The National carrier uses its ATR fleet to operate flights to local destinations like Chitral, Gilgit, Skardu, Dalbandin, Panjgur, Turbat, Bahawalpur, Rahim Yar Khan and Sukkur. Many of these flights are still suspended; while others face long flight times, or delays with increased fares due to airspace restrictions.
Decision for Complete Airspace Restoration Awaited
PIA’s Eastbound flights to Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok have been severely affected. Other International carriers like Air India, SpiceJet, Jet Airways, Thai Airways and Malindo continue to suffer prolonged flights, stopovers for refueling and even complete cancellations.
Featured Image: Wikimedia
skardo is catered by airbus a 320 which carries 150 people