Pakistan Airspace Explained: Karachi & Lahore FIRs

Pakistan’s airspace is managed as two flight information regions, the Karachi FIR and the Lahore FIR, and it sits on busy routes between Europe, the Gulf and East Asia. Many aircraft you see over Pakistan are only passing through.

Two FIRs

A flight information region (see FIR) is a block of airspace in which one authority provides air traffic services. Pakistan’s Civil Aviation Authority manages the Karachi FIR, which covers the south and the Arabian Sea, and the Lahore FIR in the north. Aircraft are handed from one controller to the next as they cross boundaries.

Why so many overflights

Pakistan lies between several large traffic flows: Europe and the Middle East to India, South-East Asia and Australia, and Gulf airlines to Central Asia and China. Flights from Europe to South-East Asia and Australia often cross the country. On the Pakistan live view you can see how many aircraft are airborne over Pakistan at any moment, including overflights.

Domestic and international flights

Domestic flights link the major cities. International flights mainly serve the Gulf, the UK and Europe, North America and Asia. Flights between airports such as Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad follow published airways.

What affects routes

• Weather. Fog in winter and storms in summer affect arrivals and routing. See weather and flights in Pakistan.
• Airspace restrictions. Governments sometimes close or restrict airspace to certain airlines or areas. Airlines then use longer routes. Read why flights avoid certain airspace.
• Terrain. Mountains in the north limit routes and affect coverage.

Notices

Temporary changes are announced by NOTAM; see NOTAM and airspace closures and NOTAMs.

General information only, not legal or safety advice. Details change; check with your airline and the relevant authority. See our editorial policy.