ISLAMABAD: Defence Minister Khawaja Asif presented detailed figures in the National Assembly regarding losses incurred due to the closure of Pakistan’s airspace for Indian aircraft following the Marka-e-Haq operation.
According to a written response submitted by the Ministry of Defense, the closure impacted 100 to 150 Indian aircraft daily, resulting in a 20% reduction in air traffic. The Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA) sustained a financial loss of approximately Rs 4.1 billion in overflight revenue between April 24 and June 30, 2025.
By comparison, a similar airspace shutdown in 2019 caused the PAA to lose around Rs 7.6 billion in overflight income. While acknowledging the financial strain, the Ministry emphasized that national sovereignty and defense take precedence over economic interests, assuring that keeping the motherland safe remains the top priority.
During this period, Pakistan’s airspace remained open to all airlines except Indian carriers; in retaliation, Pakistani airlines were barred from flying over Indian airspace. Notably, before the 2019 tensions, daily overflight revenue averaged US $508,000, and despite the disruption, the PAA managed to uphold relative financial stability.
