The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has temporarily restored Pakistani airspace for commercial aviation Thursday, allowing some flights to operate as air traffic remained suspended due to Pakistan-India tensions. At least three commercial flights departed from Pakistan Thursday, as the country's airspace remained closed for the second consecutive day. The flights included Emirates flight number EK637 from Peshawar to Dubai, Air Arabia G9825 from Peshawar to Ras Al Khaimah, and Qatar Airways #QR601 from Peshawar to Doha.

Earlier, the CAA had said that all flight operations across the country had been suspended till 5:00am on Friday. But the latest Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) issued by the Authority said the airspace would remain closed until 1:00pm Pakistan Standard Time on Friday.

Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) said that flight operations will resume temporarily on a priority basis for flights to the Saudi Arabia and UAE. In a tweet, the national flag carrier said, "PIA flights to the Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates are being resumed on a temporary basis after the Pakistan airspace opened temporarily."

"PK-731, headed to Jeddah, will take off from Karachi at 6:00pm, PK-213 (Karachi-Dubai) will take off at 10:00pm, PK-747 (Karachi-Medina) will leave at 6:00pm and PK-245 (Karachi-Dammam) will fly at 11:00pm," it further said. Passengers have been requested to contact PIA call centre before departure for the airport, the PIA further said.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2019