The Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA) has clarified media reports suggesting a significant rise in overflights through Pakistan’s airspace and speculation about large increases in related revenues.
In a statement issued from its headquarters at Jinnah International Airport on Friday, the authority said that before the recent regional developments, Pakistan’s airspace handled an average of around 650 overflights per day.
According to the PAA, a temporary increase in air traffic was observed following the evolving situation in the Middle East, particularly on routes moving from the south to the north and vice versa. The surge in traffic was effectively managed by the authority’s air traffic controllers, ensuring smooth and safe operations.
The authority added that air traffic levels have since returned to normal patterns, with routine day-to-day variations.
Clarifying reports about revenue, the PAA stated that earnings from overflights are not determined solely by the number of aircraft passing through Pakistan’s airspace. Instead, the charges are calculated based on multiple factors, including the distance flown within Pakistan’s Flight Information Regions (FIRs), applicable air navigation charges, aircraft weight categories, and other related parameters.
The PAA reiterated that Pakistan’s airspace remains safe, efficient and fully available for international aviation operations.