M A I N   N E W S

IA to decide on Pak flights today
Girja Shankar Kaura
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, December 29
Having already got the clearance from the government over operating flights to Lahore and Karachi, the Indian Airlines (IA) is expected to take a final decision on when to start the flights tomorrow.

Airline officials said here today that senior officers of the company would meet tomorrow to take a final decision on when to start the flights. Bookings for the flights will also begin immediately after a formal announcement is made about the commencement of the flights to Lahore and Karachi.

While giving its clearance for operating flights to Pakistan, the government had earlier said they could begin operations from the start of the new year. The officials said since the government clearance was there for the new year, the flights could begin immediately on the beginning of the year.

Indian Airlines would be operating four flights a week — two to Karachi. While the Lahore flights would be operated on the Delhi sector, the Karachi flights would be operated from Mumbai.

Since as per the agreement, there would still be a possibility of operating two more flights, there were chances that the two private sector airlines might also get a chance to operate a flight each to Lahore and Karachi.

The Indian Airlines already has its offices in Lahore as well as Karachi. Preparations have been made to handle the rush at these offices.

There is also a possibility of further seat capacity rationalisation. While Pakistan is planning to operate its Jumbos on the Indian sector which have a capacity of 350-400 seats, the Indian Airlines has made preparations to fly A-320 on the route which have a capacity of 145 seats.