Now, flights from Ahmedabad to Gulf can skip Pakistan airspace

Indian carriers operating from Ahmedabad to Gulf can now avoid flying over Pakistan airspace and take a new route over Arabian sea, even as regulator DGCA said the 'straightening' of the path has been done to save fuel and not because of any "political issue". The redrawing of the route, which reportedly has been done at the request of some carriers, comes at a time when bilateral ties have been strained between India and Pakistan, raising concerns about the move.

Rejecting any such apprehensions, a senior DGCA official said there is "no political issue" in the matter, as reflected in some reports. "Airports Authority of India (AAI) has straightened the route from Ahmedabad to Gulf which will save on fuel," the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) said.

"On the existing route from Ahmedabad to Gulf, our carriers fly over Pakistan airspace. However, on new route, they will not fly over Pakistan airspace," the official said.

AAI provides air traffic management services in the Indian airspace and adjoining oceanic areas. Carriers including SpiceJet, have flights from Ahmedabad to Gulf and the latest development is expected to help them less fuel.