Pakistan Okays Afghanistan Route for Flights to Tajikistan

Ibn-e-Ameer

After the Afghan Taliban take control, Pakistan has approved new routes for flights between Pakistan and Tajikistan via Afghanistan.

The air traffic route between Pakistan and Tajikistan via Afghanistan will save time and fuel.

Earlier, Tajikistan had started a direct flight between Lahore and Dushanbe but it could not continue due to less traveling.

The aviation division had approached the federal cabinet saying Pakistan and Tajikistan had initialed the Air Services Agreement (ASA) on October 21, 2009.

This agreement governs the flight operation between Pakistan and Tajikistan.

Two sides had agreed to allocate the traffic rights to designated carriers of both states upon in the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) of 2009.

The designated airlines of both states had rights to operate three weekly frequencies between Dushanbe and Khujand in Tajikistan and Karachi, Peshawar, and Islamabad in Pakistan.

Besides, the agreement also allowed designated carriers to fly over designated routes known as air traffic service route.

Pakistan, Tajikistan sign several MoUs

The government of Tajikistan had proposed a new Air Traffic Service Route (ATS) for consideration by Pakistani authorities. They intended to reduce flights distance and fuel consumption.

After deliberation of all stakeholders, the civil aviation authority (CAA) had finalized the ATS route which included SULOM-Lahore VOR-INDEK-BTR VOR (IIAP)-NONIB-Peshawar-VOR-then Pakistan/Afghanistan transfer of control point (TCP).

The route would be available between the lower and upper limits of FL 300 and FL410 restricted by AHQ on a clock basis.

The Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCCA) will liaison with Afghan authorities for onward connectivity to Tajikistan through Kabul flight Information Region to PINAX/RAMAN.

Consequently, two sides will finalize an agreement proposal for amendment in the regional air navigation plan for approval of the ICAO Council. They will also promulgate the route after following the process in due course of time.

The Aviation Division had sought approval of the cabinet regarding the new ATS route. After a detailed discussion, the cabinet had approved a new Air Traffic Route (ATS) between Pakistan and Tajikistan.