LAHORE MIRROR — The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) issued a fresh directive on Saturday, mandating a 15-minute prior notice for all flights entering Pakistani airspace.
This directive has been implemented due to the noticeable reduction in air traffic originating from Afghanistan towards Pakistan.
Under the CAA’s new guidelines, air traffic services will only be provided to flights entering Pakistan’s airspace if they have submitted prior notification. Flights entering Pakistani airspace will receive services from the air traffic control centers in Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad.
For flights originating from Europe and Central Asia, air traffic services will be facilitated through air links in Dushanbe and Islamabad. In light of the diminished air traffic flow from Afghanistan, the Islamabad and Dushanbe Flight Information Region will play a pivotal role in guiding and providing air services to incoming flights.
It’s worth noting that this new Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) will remain in effect until the conclusion of 2023.
In related news, on July 25, the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) made a significant decision to permit high-altitude flights over Afghanistan. The FAA stated that flights within Afghan airspace at or above 32,000 feet were deemed safe for travel.
Since the withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan in August 2021 and the subsequent takeover by the Taliban, a majority of global airlines have been circumventing Afghan airspace. This avoidance has had a notable impact on flights originating from Asia, particularly the Indian subcontinent, bound for Europe and North America, as they are compelled to take longer routes, resulting in increased fuel consumption.
