Airspace of Pakistan – Karachi and Lahore Flight Information Regions

CSV
Status
Active
Issued date
31/01/2024
Revision
  • 31/01/2024 - The CZIB validity was extended until 30 April 2024. No changes to the content.
  • 23/05/2023 - German AIC 07/23 issued on 18 May 2023 superseding AIC 05/23
  • 20/07/2023 - German AIC 12/23 issued on 13 July 2023 superseding AIC 09/23.
  • 28/07/2023 - The CZIB validity was extended until 31 January 2024. No changes to the content. 
     

Referenced publication(s):

  • AIC France Circular A 24/22 issued 24 November 2022 (see Appendix 1)
  • German AIC 12/23 issued on 13 July 2023 (see Appendix 2)
  • UK issued AIP Amendment 08/22 (effective date 11 August 2022) (see Appendix 3)
Affected Airspace

Pakistan airspace, Karachi Flight Information Region (FIR OPKR) and Lahore FIR (OPLR). 

Applicability
Applies to operators
Description

Due to the current security situation in Pakistan with the presence of violent non-state actor groups with confirmed anti-aviation weaponry, possibly MANPADS (man-portable air-defence systems), there is a continued possible threat to civil aviation resulting in a HIGH risk to operation at altitudes below FL 260.  

Additionally, Kashmir region remains the site of territorial dispute with sporadic military operations posing a potential inadvertent risk to civil aviation due to a potential risk for misidentification in case of military escalation, particularly in the FIR Lahore (OPLR).
 

Recommendation(s)

EASA advises air operators not to conduct flights over FIR Karachi (OPKR) and FIR Lahore (OPLR) below FL 260. 

Operators should take this information and any other relevant information into account in their own risk assessments, alongside any available guidance or directions from their national authority as appropriate. Latest operational information on ‘Closures and Warnings’ issued by means of ICAO State Letters, NOTAMs, AICs/AIPs, EASA CZIB may be found in the Network Manager NOP Portal (password protected version).

Valid until
30/04/2024

Appendix 1

Source: AIC France 24/22 issued 24 November 2022 

From 09/04/2020 and until further notice, pilots in command of aircraft performing air services mentioned in paragraph 1.1 are requested to maintain at all times a flight level above or equal to FL260 in the airspace of Pakistan (OPLR FIR (LAHORE) and OPKR FIR (KARACHI)).


Appendix 2

Source: German AIC 12/23 issued on 13 July 2023

SECURITY - HAZARDOUS SITUATION IN PAKISTAN
Civil German air operators are advised to take potential risk into account in their risk assessment and routing decisions within FIR KARACHI (OPKR) and FIR LAHORE (OPLR) below FL260.
Potential risk from anti-aviation weaponry and possible terrorist attacks at all airports.


Appendix 3

Source: United Kingdom AIP ENR 1.1 Section 1.4

Security - Hazardous Situation in Pakistan
UK registered air operators are advised to take potential risk into account in their risk assessment and routing decisions in FIR KARACHI (OPKR) and FIR LARHORE (OPLR) below 25,000 FT above ground level (AGL). Potential risk from anti-aircraft weaponry. Contact UK Department for Transport +44 (0)207-082 6639 or +44 (0)207-944 5999 out of hours.
 

 

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