Indian airlines experience a financial setback, losing approximately Rs4bn, following the suspension of airspace access by PAA.
Pakistan suffered a revenue loss of approximately PKR 4.1 billion (about $14.39 million USD) in just over two months (April 24 to June 30, 2025) due to closing its airspace to Indian aircraft. This closure affected 100 to 150 Indian flights daily and reduced transit traffic by nearly 20%.
Comparatively, a similar airspace closure in 2019 caused Pakistan an estimated loss of around PKR 7.6 billion (about $54 million USD) in overflight revenue. Despite these losses, the overall average daily overflight income of Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA) increased from about $508,000 in 2019 to $760,000 in 2025, reflecting stronger traffic volumes in general before the 2025 closure.
Key points of comparison:
| Year | Approximate Revenue Loss (Overflight Revenue) | Notes | |-------|-----------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------| | 2019 | PKR 7.6 billion (~$54 million USD) | During airspace closure linked to cross-border tensions | | 2025 | PKR 4.1 billion (~$14.39 million USD) | Closure from April 24 to June 30 affecting 100–150 flights daily |
The 2025 airspace closure resulted in a smaller revenue loss compared to the 2019 closure, even though the baseline overflight income increased in this period. The financial impact is mostly from overflight rights lost as Indian-registered, operated, or leased aircraft were barred from using Pakistani airspace.
Pakistan's Ministry of Defence emphasized that these losses are outweighed by considerations of sovereignty and national defense. Defence Minister Khawaja Asif stated that safeguarding Pakistan's sovereignty and national security is of utmost importance, and the defense of the homeland will always remain paramount.
No new facts about Operation Marka-e-Haq were provided in the current paragraph. The closure of Indian airspace and the restriction of Pakistan's airspace were implemented following India's unilateral suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty on 23rd April 2025. The PAA demonstrated fiscal resilience during the temporary disruption, with no revision in over flight or aeronautical charges made during the affected period. Pakistani airlines and aircraft are also banned from flying in Indian airspace.
- The financial impact of the 2025 airspace closure, in terms of overflight revenue losses, was smaller compared to the 2019 closure, despite a higher baseline income.
- The Ministry of Defence stressed that the revenue losses were offset by the importance of sovereignty and national defense.
- In the political arena, Defense Minister Khawaja Asif reiterated that the protection of Pakistan's sovereignty and national security will always take priority.
- In addition to the closure of Pakistani airspace, Indian airspace is also off-limits for Pakistani airlines and aircraft, creating a general-news story around the ongoing tensions between the two countries.
