Pakistan has faced an estimated revenue loss of Rs4.1 billion due to a ban on Indian-registered aircraft using its airspace, according to a report from The News on Saturday. In a written response to the National Assembly, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif confirmed that the Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA) recorded this shortfall between April 24 and June 30, 2025.
Asif emphasized that “when it comes to safeguarding our sovereignty and national security, no price is too high. The defence of our homeland will always remain paramount.” He explained that Pakistan, acting on its national security policy, withdrew overflying permission for all Indian-registered and Indian airline-operated aircraft following India’s unilateral suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty on April 23, 2025. This action affected 100-150 Indian flights daily, leading to a nearly 20% reduction in transit traffic and contributing to the revenue decline.
The Defence Minister also referenced a similar revenue shortfall of Rs7.6 billion that the PAA experienced in 2019 due to airspace restrictions. Despite the financial setbacks, he reiterated that national sovereignty and defense take precedence over economic considerations. He confirmed that while Pakistan’s airspace is open to all other airlines, it remains closed to Indian aircraft, and a reciprocal ban is in place for Pakistani flights in Indian airspace. Asif added that the PAA has demonstrated fiscal resilience and did not revise any overflight charges during this period.
