AirBlue (PA, Karachi International) along with PIA - Pakistan International Airlines (PK, Islamabad International), Air Indus (MPK, Karachi International) and Shaheen Air International (Karachi International) have all welcomed a recent decision by the Pakistan Air Force to allow Pakistan-registered commercial airlines to transit existing military training areas 24 hours a day, seven days a week, albeit at a minimum clearance of 35'000ft. The Pakistan Observer writes that the provision applies to the following designated Training Areas: J-157 (Islamabad International-Karachi International-Islamabad); J-158 (Peshawar-Karachi-Peshawar); J-159 (Lahore International-Quetta-Lahore); and J-160 (Islamabad International-Quetta-Islamabad). Previously, the zones were closed to commercial traffic during military manoeuvres forcing airlines to use longer, more circuitous routes. As a result of the new initiative, PIA alone is expected to save PKR5billion (USD46.47million) in fuel costs.
Pakistani carriers granted military-training area overflight rights
AirBlue Airbus A320-200,
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