The Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA) on Tuesday issued a definitive statement confirming that Pakistan’s airspace remains fully open and safe for all civil aviation, including international and domestic commercial flights.
The announcement comes as a direct response to recent media reports and social media speculation suggesting a “partial closure” of the country’s airspace. The PAA categorically dismissed these claims as “incorrect and misleading,” reassuring the public that air traffic services are functioning without any interruptions.
Routine Operational Advisory
The authority explained that the confusion stemmed from a misinterpretation of a routine operational advisory, known as a NOTAM (Notice to Air Missions). Specifically, NOTAM A0134/26 was issued to inform airlines of the temporary unavailability of certain route segments within the Karachi and Lahore Flight Information Regions (FIRs).
These segments are scheduled for closure during specific daily windows (0900-1500 PKT) from March 3 to March 31. The PAA emphasized that such notices are standard procedure in aviation management and do not equate to a shutdown of the airspace.
Commitment to Uninterrupted Travel
To ensure that flight schedules remain unaffected, the PAA has already implemented alternative routing options. These routes are routinely utilized to manage air traffic flow when specific segments are unavailable.
According to the PAA, all airports are operating normally, with no restrictions placed on arrivals, departures, or overflights.
The authority urged media outlets to verify information with official sources before publishing, noting that sensationalism causes unnecessary concern for passengers and the aviation industry.
Currently, air traffic controllers and airport ground teams remain fully operational to maintain the highest standards of safety and transparency across Pakistan’s aviation network.