Pakistan Revokes Overflight Rights For New GoAir Srinagar-Sharjah Route

Pakistan has revoked overflight rights for GoAir’s new service from Srinagar to Sharjah less than two weeks since flights began. Now, the airline will have to add 40 minutes to the flight time to complete the service, possibly hurting its viability. Let’s find out more.

GoAir inaugurated the first link between Jammu & Kashmir and the UAE in over a decade on October 23rd. Photo: Airbus

Restricted route

According to Mint, Pakistan has formally banned overflight rights for GoAir’s (now Go First) new route from Srinagar to Sharjah. The service was inaugurated on October 23rd and marked the first link between Jammu and Kashmir and the UAE since 2009, when Air India Express pulled its Dubai route.

Flights operated normally from October 23rd to 30th, flying over Pakistan on its way to Sharjah. However, on November 2nd, Pakistan did not approve the flight’s request to fly over the country. Instead, the plane had to add a longer route over India to avoid the airspace, adding 30-40 minutes to the journey.

The once straightforward path has become more complicated due to the lack of overflight rights. Flight path for SXR-SHJ on October 23rd. Map: RadarBox.com

Flight path for SXR-SHJ on November 2nd, after overflight rights were revoked. Map: RadarBox.com

Permissions denied

After overflight permission was revoked on November 2nd, India used diplomatic channels to make a request in the “larger interest of the common people.” However, the request did not change Pakistan’s mind, with the country’s Foreign Office formally confirming on Thursday that the route has had its overflight rights revoked.

Go First might have to ax the route if there isn’t a high demand for the service, given the extra costs. Photo: Simple Flying

The ban was reportedly set to last from October 30th to November 31st, but the Pakistani government has not set a date when flights can resume. For now, Go First will need to take the longer route to reach Sharjah. Given the higher costs of flying longer, the viability of the young route could be hurt, possibly forcing it to become a one-stop service in the future.

So why?

While Pakistan did not give a reason for revoking the rights, the reasons are likely rooted in politics. India and Pakistan both make territorial claims to Jammu and Kashmir and refuse to recognize each other’s sovereignty. Given that the new route takes off from the capital of the territory (Srinagar) could be the reason that Pakistan has revoked overflight permission.

This wouldn’t be surprising either. In 2009, Pakistan did the same thing to Air India Express’ service from Srinagar to Dubai. The one-weekly service was dropped the following year due to low demand. As of now, India will be pushing hard to restore rights for these flights soon, but chances are slim.

Political tensions between India and Pakistan are behind the change in rights this week. Photo: Getty Images

It’s important to note that Pakistan’s decision only impacts this one flight. This is different from 2019, where India and Pakistan both closed their airspace to any entering or departing flights from the other, resulting in millions in extra costs. For now, all eyes will be on the future of the Srinagar-Sharjah route.

What do you think about Pakistan’s decision to ban overflight rights to GoAir’s new route? Let us know in the comments!

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