Pakistan Restores Airspace After Indian Attacks

Following escalating tensions between Pakistan and India, flight operations at several major Pakistani airports, including Lahore, Islamabad, and Karachi, have begun to resume after an eight-hour suspension. The suspension was initially imposed as a precautionary measure in response to recent Indian airstrikes inside Pakistan.

According to aviation sources, multiple flights have restarted from key airports. At Karachi airport, two international flights and one domestic flight operated today, signaling a gradual return to normalcy. From Lahore, the first flight to Karachi—PA-401, operated by a private airline—departed successfully. International flights from Karachi experienced mixed schedules: PK-607 bound for Dubai departed ahead of schedule, while TK-709 to Istanbul faced delays.

Additionally, the Jeddah-Lahore flight PK-842, which had been diverted to Karachi due to the escalation, was forwarded to Lahore this morning. Despite the resumption of airport operations, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) announced a 12-hour suspension of its regular flight services as a precaution.

Meanwhile, Islamabad’s airspace has been declared open for flights by Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA) sources. Flight operations at Islamabad Airport have also been restored, with four private planes landing there recently.

However, the situation remains fluid. The PAA issued a new Notice to Airmen (Notam) announcing the reclosure of Lahore’s airspace for various flight routes for 24 hours. The Notam confirmed that while Lahore’s airspace remains restricted, flight operations at Islamabad Airport will continue with incoming flights permitted after coordination with Air Traffic Control.

The initial suspension of flight operations at major airports followed India’s missile strikes on multiple locations in Punjab and Azad Kashmir on Tuesday night. In response, Pakistan’s armed forces shot down five Indian Air Force jets, a combat drone, and destroyed brigade headquarters, escalating the military confrontation.