Officials of PIA and Civil Aviation told Arab News here today, “PIA did not make transit payments to Iran for last six months.”

Defense Ministry which regulates PIA said that the ban may affect the shorter route for flights carrying returning Hajis from Saudi Arabia via Iranian airspace. A redirect to the longer and slightly expensive route over xOman would resolve the issue for the flights, the first of which are expected to start from Thursday.

PIA officials said that it is expected that a solution to the current ban will be found through diplomatic channels by Friday.