Flight International online news 09:00GMT: India and Pakistan are negotiating a new air services agreement that if concluded should enable privately owned airlines to operate between the two countries.
Talks opened yesterday between government officials from the two sides in Islamabad and they are due to end today. There have been indications that a deal is close to being agreed.
There are currently only limited air services between the two countries, by state-owned Indian Airlines and state-owned Pakistan International Airlines.
Privately owned airlines, such as India’s Air Sahara and Jet Airways, and Pakistan’s Airblue, have expressed interest in starting services between major cities.
Commercial flights between two sides were banned in 2002 and 2003 as a result of political tensions but the two countries have been trying to improve relations since then.
NICHOLAS IONIDES/SINGAPORE
Source: Flight International