Indian airlines do not want to fly over Pakistan. Instead, they have asked the government’s permission to fly to the Gulf from airports in Western India, mainly Ahmedabad, over the Arabian Sea.
The airlines’ request to the Centre comes in light of security fears due to the recent deterioration of India-Pakistan ties. Four airline operators – Air India, IndiGo,
Jet Airways and Spice Jet – operate flights to the Gulf. These flights usually fly over Pakistan – a much circuitous route instead of over the Arabian Sea.
According to a report, SpiceJet, in its request to the government, has asked permission to operate its flights out of Ahmedabad to the Gulf under the ‘flexi-use of airspace’.
Lexi-Use of airspace allows commercial aircraft to use airspace reserved for the air force and the navy. However, SpiceJet’s official reason for this request was to save fuel and route navigation flight charges (RNFC).
In its request, SpiceJet said that the direct route over the Arabian Sea would help the airline operator save money per flight and will help reduce carbon emissions.
An aviation ministry official was quoted in the report as saying that the government has received many requests and that there has been some progress in the matter.
