*ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has dismissed the request of India to open theairspace until the latter de-escalates, Aviation Secretary Shahrukh Nusrattold a parliamentary committee.*
“The Indian government approached asking us to open the airspace. Weconveyed our concerns that first India must withdraw its fighter planesplaced forward,” Mr. Nusrat told the Senate Standing Committee on Aviation.
Pakistan’s eastern airspace is closed for all over-flights and transitflights. However, flight operations are continued as per routine on theEastern Air Side and the Western airspace.
Pakistan took the decision to shut its airspace on February 27, sendingIndia a strong message and forcing carriers to reroute flights, after anaerial dogfight between Pakistan and Indian air forces.
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Since the Feb 27 air combat, the closure of Pakistan’s eastern airspace hasbeen consistently extending, while flight operations on the other sidesremain functional.
