ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has closed its airspace for commercial airlines after the recent tensions with neighbor India, the Dispatch News Desk (DND) news agency reported.
After the violation of its international boundary and airspace by Indian fighter jets over Balakot area of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) retaliated and shot down two Indian Air Force (IAF) fighter jets that entered its airspace on Wednesday morning.
The flight operations have been suspended across major airports in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The Manager Lahore Airport said that flight operations have been suspended at the Multan, Faisalabad, Sialkot and New Islamabad International Airport. He said that all incoming and outgoing local and international flights have been suspended until further orders.
Meanwhile, Bacha Khan International Airport in Peshawar has also been temporarily closed for commercial flights. Flights at the airport have been directed not to take off.
Standing in solidarity with our great nation and fearless forces! #PakistanZindabaad #PIA #FlyPIA #PakistanAirForceOurPride #PakistanArmyZindabad #Pakistan @pid_gov @PDCMDOfficial @OfficialDGISPR Watch full song: https://t.co/uy7mT0up4M pic.twitter.com/kevEqJK2ZH
— PIA (@Official_PIA) February 27, 2019
On the other hand, India has also temporarily suspended flights to and from Srinagar, Jammu, Chandigarh, Amritsar and Dehradun.
The Indian army has taken over the Jammu-Pathankot highway while the airspace north of Delhi has been vacated.