Air France
Following the recent ceasefire between Pakistan and India, foreign airlines have begun to resume the use of Pakistani airspace, according to officials from the Pakistan Airport Authority (PAA).
However, despite this positive development, Air France continues to avoid Pakistani airspace, opting instead to reroute its flights around the country. This diversion has led to significantly higher fuel costs for the French airline.
Earlier this month, during the period of heightened military tension between the two countries, several major international airlines, including Swiss Air, Lufthansa, British Airways, Emirates, and others, temporarily ceased flying over Pakistan due to security concerns. The conflict, which escalated after Indian airspace was closed to Pakistani flights on April 23, led to reciprocal airspace closures by Pakistan.
Flights destined for Indian cities such as Amritsar, Delhi, Ahmedabad, and Mumbai were forced to take longer, more circuitous routes, resulting in increased travel times and higher operational expenses.
Since the ceasefire was declared and a more peaceful atmosphere was established, PAA officials have confirmed that most international carriers, including Swiss Air, Lufthansa, British Airways, Etihad, and Emirates, have resumed their previous flight paths over Pakistani airspace. This resumption has allowed airlines to use shorter, more direct routes, improving efficiency and reducing fuel consumption.
Despite these positive changes, Air France has chosen to continue rerouting its flights to Indian cities—such as Delhi, Bangalore, Ahmedabad, and Mumbai—around Pakistan. Aviation sources report that this avoidance extends beyond India-bound flights to other international routes as well.
The airline’s decision has resulted in millions of dollars in extra fuel costs, making their operations more expensive than those of competitors who have resumed flying over Pakistan.
Meanwhile, Pakistan announced on Wednesday that it will extend the closure of its airspace to Indian flights for another month. This decision is in line with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) regulations, which allow airspace restrictions for only one month at a time before requiring renewal through official notices known as Notices to Airmen (Notams).
The escalation between the two countries began after India closed its airspace to Pakistani flights, prompting Pakistan to reciprocate. The situation further deteriorated with unprovoked Indian attacks on Pakistani cities on May 6 and 7, followed by Pakistan’s military response, Operation Bunyan-um-Marsoos, targeting Indian military installations on May 10. The ceasefire agreement, reached thereafter, has brought a temporary calm to the region.
The airspace restrictions have had a notable impact on India’s aviation industry, causing significant disruptions due to the rerouting of flights. In contrast, Pakistan’s aviation sector has experienced minimal effects, primarily because of limited operations towards the Far East and the rerouting of only one eastbound flight through Chinese airspace.
In summary, while the recent ceasefire has allowed most international airlines to resume flying through Pakistan’s airspace, Air France remains the notable exception, incurring increased operational costs due to continued diversions.
The ongoing airspace restrictions for Indian flights continue to affect regional air traffic, underscoring the delicate balance between security concerns and aviation efficiency in the region.
