Pakistan on Tuesday refused permission to use its airspace for Go First’s Srinagar-Sharjah flight. The flight was inaugurated by Union Home Minister Amit Shah during his visit to the Valley last month.
Government officials said on Wednesday that Pakistan’s refusal caused the flight to take a long route and pass through Gujarat to reach its destination in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). GoFirst, formerly known as GoAir, started direct flights between Srinagar and Sharjah from 23 October.
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According to officials, the Srinagar-Sharjah flight of GoAir was passing through Pakistani airspace till October 31. However, Pakistan did not allow the flight to pass through its airspace on Tuesday and hence the flight had to travel a long way and pass through Gujarat, he said. Officials said the Pakistan government has not yet given any reason for denying the flight permission.
This is the first service between Jammu and Kashmir and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) after 11 years. Air India Express started the Srinagar-Dubai flight in February 2009 but it was discontinued after sometime due to low demand.
Reacting to Pakistan’s action, former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister and National Conference leader Omar Abdullah tweeted, “Very unfortunate. Pakistan did the same in 2009-2010 with an Air India Express flight from Srinagar to Dubai. I expected that allowing GoFirst Airways to fly over Pakistan’s airspace was a sign of de-escalation in relations. This should not have happened.
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At the same time, accusing the central government, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chief and former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti tweeted that it is surprising that the Indian government has refused to use Pakistan’s airspace for international flights from Srinagar. Didn’t even bother to take permission from him. Just rubbish PR programs without any ground work.
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