‘Loss of Millions’: How Pakistan Closes Hiking Shooting with India’s Space | Indian News
New Delhi has taken strict measures, followed by Pahalgam terrorist attacks, which have closed Pakistan’s airspace in India. Although Pakistan relies on the suspension of SAARC visas made by India, the two countries have also reduced diplomatic personnel. After India suspended the Indus Water Treaty, Pakistan claimed it responded strongly to India by closing the space of Indian aircraft. But the struggling country is facing financial challenges, a move that will cost millions of dollars. Although airlines face a 15-30% surge in fuel costs due to longer flight routes, Pakistan has lost millions of dollars in high altitude expenses.
What is a high fee?
Aerial fees are allegations imposed by a country on airlines that require the right to fly over its airspace without landing. These fees are usually paid by airlines to countries using airspace and help to cover the costs of air traffic control services and infrastructure maintenance.
How Pakistan faces losses
Pakistan faces financial losses due to closing airspace to India flights, mainly due to lost revenue from high-altitude expenses. Typically, Indian flights pay Pakistan altitude fees to use its air traffic corridor. Blocking these flights means Pakistan has confiscated millions of dollars in potential revenue. Pakistan reportedly lost more than $50 million in high-altitude revenue in a few months after the 2019 Pulwama attack and Balakot strike.
During this period, about 400 flights were interrupted every day, resulting in significant financial losses from the Civil Aviation Agency of Pakistan (CAA) and Pakistan International Airlines (PIA).
According to the India Today Report, a Boeing 737 flights in Pakistan Airlines cost about $580, and larger aircraft charges more. Officials estimate that the daily loss across expenses alone is about $232,000. When additional expenses such as landing and parking fees are included, the total daily loss is expected to reach around $300,000.
