Pak Refuses Airspace Permission For New Srinagar-Sharjah Direct Flight

Re-routing of flights from Srinagar to the United Arab Emirates (to ensure it doesn't cross Pakistani airspace) adds over an hour of flying time, raising fuel and ticket costs

Pakistan has denied use of its airspace to a Srinagar-Sharjah direct flight - operated by low-cost airline Go First - that was inaugurated by Home Minister Amit Shah during his visit to J&K last month. Good to see the refusal of airspace usage is a thing of the past. Perhaps there is hope for relations between the two countries. pic.twitter.com/jYgLZdqijH

The Civil Aviation, External Affairs and Home Affairs ministries had been informed of this development, government sources told news agency ANI Wednesday.

The denial has raised questions over the viability of the flight, raising fears it may meet the same fate as the 2009 Srinagar-Dubai service discontinued due to low demand after Pak refused to allow the plane to cross its territory.

Re-routing of flights from Srinagar to the United Arab Emirates (to ensure it doesn't cross Pakistani airspace) adds over an hour of flying time, raising fuel and ticket costs.