India removes restriction in airspace

NEW DELHI: In one of the first moves after assuming office, the Modi-II government has removed all temporary restrictions in Indian airspace enforced since February 27. This essentially, say highly placed sources, is India's gesture to Pakistan to open up its airspace for overflying reciprocally and shorten flying distance between parts of South Asia, including Delhi, and the west. Since February 27, flights on these sectors are taking longer routes leading to an increase in flying time by up to three hours.

"Information : Temporary restrictions on all air routes in the Indian airspace, imposed by the Indian Air Force on 27 Feb 19, have been removed," IAF tweeted on Friday evening.




"This basically is a signal from India that we are willing to lift restrictions and that Pakistan should reciprocate. Armed with this magnanimous decision of Modi-II government, among the first big steps after returning to office, foreign airlines can now approach the UN's aviation arm ICAO and global airline forum of IATA to put pressure on Pakistan to lift the restrictions," said a source.

Asked if the IAF tweet means a Pakistan International Airline flight from Lahore to Kathmandu can now overfly Indian airspace, the official said, "Technically yes. But these are matters of mutual agreement. We have indicated that India is okay with these flights, but for that to happen Pakistan also has to open its airspace for airlines of other countries including India to overfly."

Pakistan, earlier this week, extended closure of its airspace for overflying till mid-June. Since February 27, when the restrictions were imposed, flights headed from parts of South Asia, including Delhi, to the west are going close to Mumbai and Ahmedabad; then turning right over the Arabian Sea to head to Muscat and then fly to their destination. This has meant an extra hour and 1.5 hours for Delhi-Dubai and Delhi-Europe, sectors respectively.

Air India's non-stops between Delhi and east coast of US are, in addition, taking a fuelling stop on way out that means a total addition of over three hours to the flying time. IndiGo's Delhi-Istanbul is forced to take a fuelling stop while flying to and returning from Turkey.

Air India is the Indian airline worst affected by this ban due to an additional expense and revenue foregone of Rs 6 crore.

North American carriers have suspended some Delhi flights to avoid this extra expense. Air Canada will not operate its daily Delhi-Toronto flight between June 14 and August 1 due to continued closure of Pakistan airspace. United's Delhi-Newark flight remains suspended for the same reason since early April and is expected to resume on July 2, as of now.