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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Travel
Julie Delahaye

Pakistan reopens airspace five months after standoff with India

Pakistan has reopened its airspace to all commercial flights for the first time in five months.

A Notice to Airmen on the country's Civil Aviation Authority website read: "With immediate effect Pakistan airspace is open for all type civil traffic on published ATS routes".

Pakistan closed its airspace earlier this year after tensions with India escalated after two Indian warplanes were shot down over Kashmir.

At the time Pakistan claimed to have captured two pilots alive, but India rejected the claims and said that it shot down a Pakistani fighter jet.

The conflict saw world leaders calling for the two states to show restraint amidst fears that the countries were on the brink of war.

As a result, Pakistan closed all of its airspace in February, with the ban coming into force immediately.

It meant that a number of airlines - such as Singapore Airlines, British Airways, Thai Airways and Air India - were forced to reroute flights to India which usually flew over Pakistan airspace.

Islamabad International Airport (AFP/Getty Images)

It also meant that holidaymakers with trips booked saw their travel plans changed at the last minute.

In March it did re-open some routes to commercial flights although this still excluded any flights to or from India.

In June, British Airways resumed flights to Islamabad International Airport from the UK.

Five months after the Kashmir conflict, Pakistan has now re-opened its airspace completely - and that includes any flights and routes to and from India.

The Indian Ministry of Civil Aviation shared the news on Twitter in a statement: "After cancellation of NOTAMS by Pakistan and India in the early hours today, there are no restrictions on airspaces of both countries, flights have started using the closed air routes, bringing a significant relief for airlines."

If you are thinking of travelling make sure you check the FCO travel advice on Pakistan and the FCO travel advice on India before you make plans.

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