Immigration grounds Karachi flights

More than a month after both countries agreed to resume air links following deliberations at New Delhi, Indian Airlines 8212; which was to start operations in the first week of January 8212; has still not got the go-ahead from the Home Ministry. The Immigration Department wants IA to modify its proposed schedule.

Sources said IA has proposed to operate flights on Tuesdays and Fridays, leaving Mumbai at 12.25 am and arriving from Karachi at 4.50 am. However, immigration authorities say they are handling far too many flights that time of the day and have suggested the airline amend its proposal. Immigration officials have to handle as many as 10 flights for two hours after 12.30 am on both days at Mumbai airport.

IA, on the other hand, says the proposed schedule is the best that can be achieved under limited aircraft availability. The tangle has continued despite clearance from Pakistan8217;s DGCA to operate flights to Lahore and Karachi on December 19 last year.

Sources said the immigration department is also unwilling to take a chance with accommodating the proposed schedule, given the sensitive profile of the flight. But Civil Aviation Ministry officials argue that while Indian Airlines had advanced its schedule for Lahore by half an hour for the convenience of immigration authorities, it was going to be difficult this time.

The matter has reportedly been brought to the notice of the MEA. But with IA needing a lead time of three weeks to commence operations, the Mumbai-Karachi flight is not likely to start before mid-February, assuming the clearance is obtained two weeks from now.

The delay is not good news for IA as Karachi is commercially a more preferable destination than Lahore. Not a single flight to Lahore 8212; since its first service on January 9 8212; has carried more than 50 passengers, particularly when an Airbus 320 has a capacity of 145 passengers.