Date:02/01/2004 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2004/01/02/stories/2004010202690100.htm

Back PIA flight lands in India after 2 years

Our Bureau

AIR LINK RE-ESTABLISHED: After a gap of two years, a Pakistan International Airlines aircraft landed at the Delhi airport on Thursday heralding relaunch of direct air services between India and Pakistan. - - Ramesh Sharma

New Delhi , Jan 1

THE arrival of a Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) Boeing-737 aircraft here this evening signified more than the re-launch of direct air links between the two countries.

Among other things, it provided new born Ayesha an opportunity to meet, for the first time, her grandparents in India without having to undertake an over 12-hour arduous road journey from across the border or fly from Pakistan to Dubai before reaching Delhi.

It was not Ayesha alone, but the 39 other passengers on board the flight who welcomed the re-launch of direct air services between India and Pakistan. "By the time we finished our lunch on board, the aircraft was ready to touch down in Delhi. After all it is only a 45-minute journey from Lahore which earlier took much longer and cost more as we had to come through Dubai," an excited Pakistan businessman, Mr Mukhtyar Ahmed Butt, told newspersons.

The Butt family was looking forward to spending the next 10 days with their family in Srinagar where they would reach tomorrow morning. "Earlier also we would come but would be very tired as the travel through the Wagah border is very exhaustive," he added.

Also on the flight was a passenger who claimed that he had travelled on board the last PIA aircraft to leave India two years ago, and was now making the journey to settle his daughter in India.

India and Pakistan had closed their respective air space for use by aircraft registered in each other's countries beginning January 1, 2002. However, both the countries revoked the ban from today.

To make the re-launch a special occasion, not only were women presenting roses to the passengers, the Pakistani Deputy High Commissioner and PIA's Manager India were also present to welcome them.

Airline officials told newspersons that while 40 passengers came from Lahore to Delhi, the airline carried 116 passengers on the return flight. While PIA has launched regular flights between India and Pakistan, Indian Airlines is to re-start twice-a-week operations between Delhi and Lahore from January 9.