National
`Aircraft must fly above 31,000 ft'
By Pranab Dhal Samanta
NEW DELHI, FEB. 11. In what seems to be yet another twist to the Indo-Pak stand-off, Pakistan has foxed authorities here by placing inexplicable restrictions on air routes from northern and eastern parts of India to the Gulf countries and Europe.
As per a notice issued by the Karachi Air Traffic Control, all aircraft flying on route `G-452' would have to fly above the height of 31,000 feet. Incidentally, all flights taking off from Northern India _ in some cases even Eastern India _ towards West Asia and Europe take this route.
Running west from Delhi, this route goes north-east of Bikaner and enters Pakistani air space at Rahimyar Khan in Sindh and then moves southward to Karachi. From here, it moves into the Muscat region, where planes bifurcate depending on whether they are headed for Europe or West Asia.
After the U.S. campaign began in Afghanistan, most flights abandoned the old route via Lahore, north-west Pakistan, and Afghanistan. As a result, sources say, all flights to Europe from or via Delhi take the G-452 route before diverting towards Turkey at a suitable point.
It is thus important, sources say, from the Indian perspective that this route remains free from any major restrictions. However, the January 22 notice by the Karachi ATC does exactly that.
According to officials, levels between 26,000 feet and 35,000 feet are considered optimum for flying by commercial aircraft. By restricting flying to only above 31,000 feet, Pakistan has shrunk that bandwidth.
Further, the notice has been issued at a time when aircraft are reluctant to climb above 31,000 feet due to the strong jet stream or westerly winds prevailing at heights around 35,000 feet and above these days. At a speed of more than 150 knots, these winds make it difficult for flights moving from East to West.
As a result, planes approaching the route G-452 are demanding a clearance of 31,000 feet before entering Pakistan. While India is under no obligation to restrict movement in its airspace due to restrictions imposed by Pakistan, officials say, aircraft do not want to land up in a situation where they are minutes away from Rahimyar Khan and are refused permission to climb to 31,000 feet due to excessive air traffic.
Thus, sources say, most of the aircraft want to be given clearance to fly at 31,000 feet either at Delhi or even before, if they are coming from Hong Kong or Bangkok. This has apparently led to a great deal of congestion on the route leading to delays.
In fact, most aircraft taking off on that route from Delhi prefer to wait at the Indira Gandhi International Airport and be allotted the level of 31,000 feet than face the risk of being refused at the Indo-Pak border. In peak hours between midnight and 3 a.m., sources say, at least five flights are getting delayed by an hour or more depending on the traffic.
What has peeved officials more is that despite having no restrictions on its airspace, India is being compelled to work according to the restrictions placed by Pakistan. In the bargain, international airliners are looking at alternate routes to Europe from China.
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