India is reviewing its Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA) with Pakistan following the escalation of violence in Kashmir, the Hindustan Times reports.
The measure could result in Pakistani carriers being banned from entering Indian airspace, which would effectively end PIA - Pakistan International Airlines (PK, Islamabad International) flights from Karachi International and Lahore International to Delhi International and from Karachi to Mumbai International. No Indian carrier operates services to Pakistan. The move could have a significant financial impact on PIA as the majority of its east-bound flights overfly Indian territory. As a result, its aircraft would have to use longer flight paths and burn more fuel.
The last time similar action was taken was in 2002, when both India and Pakistan banned airlines from each other’s countries from entering their respective airspace in a tit-for-tat move. Normal operations resumed only in mid-2013 amid easing tensions between the two neighbours.
