RAWALPINDI: For the first time since Pakistan opened its airspace last month following its closure earlier this year, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday used Pakistan’s airspace to travel to France on his official visit.

Pakistan had completely closed its airspace following air strikes by Indian Air Force on Balakot on Feb 26. In March, Islamabad partially opened it but kept it closed for Indian flights.

According to sources in the aviation circles, as Pakistan’s airspace has been open for all commercial flights since July, its use by a flight carrying Mr Modi was approved.

The source requesting anonymity said: “The overflying schedule was approved for Indian PM’s flight to France on Thursday morning as Pakistan has already opened its airspace.”

Published in Dawn, August 23rd, 2019