Air France said in a press release: “The airline has decided to suspend Overflight from Pakistan until further notice”, citing “recent tensions” between India and Pakistan.
The carrier said that he changed his flight schedule and flight plans with destinations such as Delhi, Bangkok and Ho Chi Minh, causing longer flight times.
Swiss, owned by Lufthansa Group, said that the airline will read passengers that lack free connection flights.
Airlines also reacted to developments in the Middle East, European and American carriers canceling flights for several days after a missile fired by the Houthi rebels in Yemen on Sunday, near Israeli airport Ben Gurion.
In addition to longer distances and higher fuel costs for airlines, Pakistan can see a drop in revenues from overflight costs, which can reach hundreds of dollars per flight, depending on the weight and distance covered by plane. Pakistan reserves with the central bank amount to US $ 10.2 billion, barely enough to cover two months of imports.
“This could have a significant impact on certain foreign airlines that count strongly on Pakistan airspace as well as Pakistan, given the loss of overflight income,” said Brendan Sobie, independent aviation analyst.
Pakistan civil aviation civil authority has refused to comment.
