Indian low-cost airline Go First has been forced to bypass Pakistani airspace to continue its flight operations from Indian Administered Kashmir to Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates. This happened after the Pakistani government came under heavy criticism to allow these flights to Use Pakistani airspace. By avoiding Pakistani airspace the flight is taking half an hour longer than earlier. The initial 4 flights took around 3 hours and 40 minutes when they used Pakistani airspace. Now the flight takes over 4 hours and 15 minutes when they avoid the Pakistani airspace. After criticism Pakistani authorities refused to give permission to the airline to fly over its territory.
Go first started Sri Nagar to Sharjah flights on 23 October and operated 5 flights using Pakistani airspace before the Pakistani government pulled the plug. The airline is operating the route with its Airbus A320-200 and there 4 weekly flights on the route.