All foreign airlines resume flying over Pakistan except Air France: PAA
After the recent ceasefire between Pakistan and India, all foreign airlines except Air France have resumed flying over Pakistani airspace, Pakistan Airport Authority (PAA) officials said.
Air France continues to divert its flights, leading to substantial additional fuel expenses.
Meanwhile, Pakistan has decided to extend the closure of its airspace for Indian flights by another month.
Under International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) regulations, airspace restrictions can be applied for only one month at a time, requiring periodic extensions. India had closed its airspace to Pakistan flights on April 23, prompting a reciprocal move by Islamabad the next day.
Earlier this month, amid military clashes between Pakistan and India several major international carriers, including Swiss Air, Lufthansa, British Airways, and Emirates, suspended use of Pakistani airspace due to heightened security risks.
As a result, flights to Indian cities such as Amritsar, Delhi, Ahmedabad, and Mumbai were rerouted, extending travel times and raising operational costs.
The PAA officials said that since the ceasefire, airlines such as Swiss Air, Lufthansa, British Airways, Etihad, and Emirates have resumed normal operations and are once again flying through Pakistani airspace.
Flights heading to India and other destinations are now using the more direct routes over Pakistan. Despite the return to normalcy for many carriers, Air France flights to Delhi, Bangalore, Ahmedabad, and Mumbai continue to avoid Pakistan's airspace.
This ongoing diversion has resulted in millions of dollars in additional fuel expenses for the French airline.
According to aviation sources, other Air France flights to various countries are also bypassing Pakistan.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
TAG 91.1
12 hours ago
- TAG 91.1
UAE President, Pakistani Prime Minister pledge closer ties
UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has held talks with Pakistan's Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, who is on a working visit to the country. The meeting took place at Qasr Al Shati in Abu Dhabi, where the two leaders exchanged Eid Al-Adha greetings and well wishes for continued prosperity in both nations and peace across the Muslim world. Talks focused on strengthening bilateral ties, especially in the areas of economic cooperation, investment and development sectors. Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to expanding their strategic partnership in line with their shared national goals. They also discussed regional and international developments, underlining the importance of supporting efforts to promote peace and stability globally. Sharif praised the UAE's diplomatic leadership and expressed his appreciation for the country's continued support to Pakistan, including development initiatives that have had a strong impact on the ground. Earlier in the day, the Pakistani Prime Minister was welcomed at Al Bateen Airport in Abu Dhabi by His Highness Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Ruler of Abu Dhabi and National Security Adviser, along with a number of senior officials. #WamNews — WAM English (@WAMNEWS_ENG) June 12, 2025
Broadcast Pro
13 hours ago
- Broadcast Pro
Orange Middle East and Africa and risingSUD join forces
This three-year partnership aims to bring together innovation ecosystems in Africa, the Middle East and the South of France. At the Viva Technology trade show in Paris, Orange Middle East and Africa (OMEA), represented by CEO Jérôme Hénique, and risingSUD, led by President Bernard Kleynhoff, announced a strategic partnership designed to accelerate the international growth of African startups. The agreement, spanning three years, will support the integration of startups from the Orange Digital Centre network into the dynamic business environment of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region in southern France. The partnership aims to connect innovation ecosystems across Africa, the Middle East and southern France. Startups within the Orange Digital Centre network will receive dedicated support from risingSUD, the regional economic development agency, to establish operations in an area already home to 500,000 companies, including global tech leaders and forward-thinking startups. This collaboration strengthens OMEAs efforts to internationalise African and Middle Eastern startups and highlights its broader commitment to nurturing entrepreneurship across the continent. With a presence in 17 countries in Africa and the Middle East and eight in Europe, the Orange Digital Centre network offers an inclusive and accessible platform for digital training, startup incubation and acceleration, and project funding. Already this year, risingSUD has helped 14 African businesses set up in southern France, including Guépard, a startup from the Orange Digital Centre in Tunisia, which recently opened an office in Marseille. The new partnership will expand such opportunities, enabling more startups from Africa and the Middle East to benefit from risingSUDs expertise, whether through project support, financing access, or connections with international partners. It also opens pathways for local talent and entrepreneurs in southern France to engage with the Orange Digital Center network. ?Commenting on the partnership, Jérôme Hénique, CEO of Orange Middle East and Africa, commented: This partnership with risingSUD marks a key step in our ambition to promote African innovation internationally. It is a continuation of the support we offer startups through our Orange Digital Centers. By facilitating their establishment and acceleration in France, particularly in the South region, we are giving young African companies the means to accelerate their growth. Bernard Kleynhoff, President of risingSUD and President of the Economic and Digital Development, Industry, Export, Attractiveness and Cybersecurity Commissions of the Sud Region, added: 'Thanks to its strategic position, its historical trade flows and its commitment to innovation, the South of France is a natural bridge between Europe, Africa and the Middle East. It is now the leading French region for hosting African investment projects. This partnership opens up new economic opportunities and constitutes a real springboard for the development of businesses on both sides of the Mediterranean.'
Al Etihad
14 hours ago
- Al Etihad
UAE President, Pakistani Prime Minister discuss bilateral cooperation, regional developments
12 June 2025 18:34 ABU DHABI (WAM) UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on Thursday received His Excellency Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, Prime Minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, who is on a working visit to the the meeting, which took place at Qasr Al Shati in Abu Dhabi, His Highness and the Pakistani Prime Minister exchanged Eid Al-Adha greetings, offering prayers for continued prosperity for both nations and peace and stability across the Muslim world and two sides discussed ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation, with a particular focus on the economic, investment, and development sectors. They reaffirmed their commitment to deepening constructive ties and broadening their partnership in pursuit of shared interests and national development goals that aim to deliver greater prosperity for both Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed and Prime Minister Sharif also reviewed a range of regional and international issues of mutual concern and exchanged views on recent developments. They emphasised the importance of supporting international efforts to promote stability and strengthen peace both regionally and Pakistani Prime Minister commended the efforts of His Highness in advancing peace, security, and stability at both regional and global levels. He highlighted the key role played by UAE diplomacy in promoting dialogue and finding common ground for diplomatic solutions to conflicts and crises around the world. He also expressed his appreciation for the UAE's ongoing support to Pakistan and its impactful development initiatives in the meeting was attended by His Highness Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Ruler of Abu Dhabi and National Security Adviser; His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Chairman of the Presidential Court for Special Affairs; Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan, Advisor to the UAE President; Ali bin Hammad Al Shamsi, Secretary-General of the Supreme Council for National Security; Mohamed bin Mubarak Al Mazrouei, Minister of State for Defence Affairs; Dr. Ahmed Mubarak Al Mazrouei, Chairman of the President's Office for Strategic Affairs and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive meeting was also attended by the accompanying delegation of the Prime Minister of Pakistan, which included a number of ministers and senior officials. Earlier Thursday, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif arrived in Abu Dhabi, where he was received at Al Bateen Airport by His Highness Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Ruler of Abu Dhabi and National Security Adviser, along with a number of senior officials.
