PIA to start flights to India from Jan 1

Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) on Monday said it would start direct flights to Delhi and Mumbai from January 1, restoring aviation links snapped after December 13, 2001 terror attack on India 's Parliament.

The PIA would operate 12 flights a week - five between Mumbai and Karachi , three on Delhi-Karachi and four on Delhi-Lahore sectors, its general manager ( India ) Parwez Ahmed Khan said here.

It would operate A-300 on Mumbai-Karachi sector, A-310 on Delhi-Karachi sector and Boeing 737 on Delhi-Lahore sector, Khan added.

Indian Airlines is likely to take a final decision on the date of launching its operations in a day or two as it was still awaiting directions from civil aviation authorities about operational slots at Pakistani airports.

IA sources said that the Indian carrier was ready to operate four weekly flights to Karachi and Lahore from Mumbai. Taking advantage of Islamabad 's decision to open up its air space, the airlines would also start a direct Delhi-Kabul-Delhi flight.

New Delhi, December 29, 2003 (PTI)