Operation Sindoor: Pakistan shuts airspace for 48 hours; several Asian airlines avoid route

Operation Sindoorimpact: Pakistan has declared a 48-hour shutdown of its airspace for all aviation activities following India's military Operation Sindoor against terror locations in Pakistan and PoK on Wednesday.Initially, Pakistani aviation officials restricted airspace above Islamabad and Lahore, diverting aircraft to Karachi. Subsequently, they implemented a complete airspace closure for 48 hours as a safety precaution.The authorities lifted the restrictions after eight hours, allowing flights to resume operations, according to a PTI report.International and domestic services recommenced in the morning, with most aircraft operating from Karachi's Jinnah International Airport or Lahore.Subsequently, Lahore's airspace faced another closure for 24 hours after a brief operational period.Also Check | Operation Sindoor Live UpdatesThe Jinnah Airport in Karachi experienced significant congestion as numerous delayed international and domestic flights arrived and departed from the facility.A Civil Aviation Authority representative confirmed that flights operating from West Asian nations and various other locations have resumed their regular schedules.The representative mentioned that domestic flight services have also been restored and will continue operating until further notice.He further stated that an Uzbekistan Airlines aircraft completed its journey from Tashkent to New Delhi, travelling through Lahore.According to a Reuters report, multiple Asian carriers announced on Wednesday their decisions to alter routes or suspend flights connecting Asia and Europe due to growing tensions between India and Pakistan.International carriers diverted over 25 flights to avoid Pakistani airspace. FlightRadar24 reported that by Wednesday morning local time, 52 flights to or from Pakistan had been suspended.Also Read | Airports shut, flights cancelled: How Operation Sindoor has impacted air travel in north India - check airlines advisoryKLM, the Netherlands' flag carrier, confirmed suspension of operations over Pakistan until further notice. Singapore Airlines disclosed that it had ceased using Pakistani airspace since May 6.Korean Air implemented changes to its Seoul Incheon–Dubai route on Wednesday, selecting an alternative southern path across Myanmar, Bangladesh, and India, replacing its usual route through Pakistani airspace.The Indian military conducted missile strikes targeting nine terrorist locations in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir as part of Operation Sindoor on Wednesday. This action was taken in response to the terrorist incident in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir on April 22, which resulted in 26 casualties.