Flights from Guj to Gulf to avoid Pakistan airspace

NEW DELHI: The Airports Authority of India (AAI) has carved a straight flight path from Ahmedabad to the Gulf, which would result in substantial savings for Indian carriers.

Earlier, Indian carriers would take a circuitous route by flying over Pakistan to reach Gulf that resulted in more fuel consumption as well as paying an additional $500 to Pakistan for using its airspace.

“AAI has straightened the route from Ahmedabad to Gulf which will save on fuel. On the existing route from Ahmedabad to Gulf, our carriers fly over Pakistan airspace. However, on the new route, they will not fly over Pakistan airspace,” said a spokesperson of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation.

Indian carriers have for long been demanding a Flexible Use of Airspace, which would cut down travel time sharply and result in significant savings for airlines. HT had first reported this on June 10, 2015.

About 40% of Indian airspace comes under defence authorities, and is restricted for civil aircraft movement. As a result, most of the navigational routes are not straight, and commercial flights have to circumvent the restricted areas thereby losing fuel and time.