Islamabad: The Pakistan Airport Authority (PAA) has lost RS4.1 billion in just over two months after closing its airspace to planes registered in India, the Ministry of Defense informed the National Assembly on Friday.
The Ministry said that the deficit, from April 24 to June 30, was in the revenue on the exceed and was lower than the RS8.5 billion reported. The closure followed the unilateral suspension of India of the Water Treaty of the Indo on April 23.
From the next day, Pakistan removed the overflow permit for all aircraft registered in India and those operated, owned or rented by Indian carriers.
The measure affected daily from 100 to 150 Indian aircraft, reducing traffic traffic by almost 20 percent. In 2019, a similar closure led to an estimated revenue loss of RS7.6 billion ($ 54 million), compared to previously reported $ 100 million.
The airspace of the Islamabad airport will be closed daily for two hours until August 14
The Ministry informed the Parliament that such decisions, under the jurisdiction of the federal government, were issued through notices to aviators (notes) and carried a strategic and diplomatic weight to safeguard civilians, protect infrastructure and allow military planning.
Sovereignty, Defense
“While financial losses, sovereignty and national defense occur priority to economic considerations,” reads the statement.
The Average Daily Income of Overphlight of the PAA in 2019, before tensions, were $ 508,000, compared to $ 760,000 in 2025.
The ministry made it clear that the amounts reflected “income deficit, not general financial losses”, and pointed out that charges against and aeronautics remained unchanged, demonstrating resistance and avoiding tariff walks or government rescues.
Pakistan’s airspace is open to all, except for the airlines and airplanes of India until last August after the ban was extended twice monthly. Similarly, Pakistani carriers remain prohibited in Indian airspace. “By safeguarding sovereignty and security, no price is too high,” the ministry reiterated.
Islamabad flights
Separately, the airspace of Islamabad International Airport will close daily for two hours until August 14 for operational reasons, according to Notam A0510/25. The exits and arrivals will stop from the ground level to the FL210, affecting the flights to the areas of Lahore and the North.
Air space will remain closed from 11 am to 1 pm
On Friday, the temporary closure caused minor delays, with hundreds of passengers facing changes in their travel plans. The Federal Research Agency (FIA) said that all immigration counters were totally attended and operational, processing 2,847 passengers of 12 international flights in three hours.
A sudden schedule change led many passengers to leave at the same time. The Immigration of the FIA completed the detection and authorization in line with the regulations and promised to maintain efficient services while continuing efforts against trafficking in persons and wanted suspects.
Mohammad Asghar also contributed to this report
Posted in Dawn, August 9, 2025
