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India, Pakistan fail to reach accord on air services

Special Correspondent

New Delhi not agreeable to plea for quantum jump in flights, destinations

NEW DELHI: India and Pakistan have failed to reach agreement on additional flights and destinations for designated airlines.

Government sources told this correspondent that Pakistan wanted a "quantum jump" in flights and destinations, which demand India was not prepared to accept.

Additional destinations

The Indian side expected that Chennai and Islamabad would be made additional destinations. At present, Indian and Pakistani airlines only fly to New Delhi, Mumbai, Karachi and Lahore.

A Pakistani official confirmed that Islamabad wanted the existing number of 48 flights a week increased by either 24 or 48. But the Indian side was not agreeable.

The Pakistanis wanted Chennai, Hyderabad and Cochin as additional destinations.

Talks will continue

A "joint statement" issued after talks between civil aviation authorities on Monday and Tuesday said the discussions were held "friendly and cordial." "Both sides expressed [a] desire to expand the scope of the existing Air Services Agreement and agreed to continue discussions for enhancement of capacities, frequencies, and gateways for the benefit of the travelling public of the two countries."

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