Pak's move to ban airspace for flights condemnable: Aviation expert

Pakistan's ban on Indian flights has led Indian national carrier Air India to suffer a loss to the tune of Rs 430 crores (approximately). Aviation expert, Sanat Kaul shares his opinion with ETV Bharat.

New Delhi: Soon after Pakistan extended its airspace ban along its eastern border with India till July 26, aviation experts opined against the move. Speaking to ETV Bharat, Sanat Kaul, aviation expert, reiterated that although the airspace above a country is the sovereign space of that country just like its land, the International Civil Aviation Organization has a lot of agreements in which Commercial flight from another Nation should be allowed by a nation.

"Diverting aircrafts and not allowing them to pass over Pakistan airspace for commercial aircrafts is not a good thing and International Civil Aviation Organization should take cognisance of it," said Kaul.

Citing examples of other countries, Kaul said Indian airlines and Federal Aviation Administration also divert from certain parts of Iran's airspace because it is a politically tense area. Post-Balakot strike, Pakistan airspace has also been shut for flights that take off from India.

"Perhaps, it seems that they are taking revenge. Thus, there is a need for India to be a little more pro-active and seek some remedial measures from the International Civil Aviation Organization," said the aviation expert.

According to estimates, the closure of airspace by Pakistan has led Indian national carrier Air India to suffer a loss to the tune of Rs 430 crores (approximately).

On Thursday, Hardeep Singh Puri, Civil Aviation Minister, had said in the Lok Sabha that airspace restriction had resulted in additional operating cost of about Rs 13 lakhs per day while for its affiliate Air India Express, the daily loss is pegged at Rs 22 lacs due to re-routing of flights.