India-Pakistan relations

In a partial relief to airlines, Pakistan has opened one route for west-bound flights from India more than a month after it shut its airspace for all civilian flights following the Indian Air Force’s strikes at Balakot.

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Why is it in news?

  • In a partial relief to airlines, Pakistan has opened one route for west-bound flights from India more than a month after it shut its airspace for all civilian flights following the Indian Air Force’s strikes at Balakot.

More in news

  • Decision on some flights pending:
  • A decision on opening a passage for flights overflying Pakistan and entering India is yet to be taken.
  • The route that has been opened passes from near Mumbai and enters southern Pakistan.
  • This is only one of the 11 exit and entry points between India and Pakistan.
  • Hike in operational costs:
    (1) Since the ban by Pakistan on the use of its airspace, several flights within Asia, between Asia and West Asia or Europe or the U.S. were forced to take a longer route, entailing an increase in flight duration and sometimes a halt for refuelling.
    (2) This led to an increase in operational costs, forcing many airlines to cancel flights or hike fares.

Source

The Hindu