Flying from India to Karachi, Pakistan?

Thoughtcrimes

Does anyone happen to know if there's currently any Indian or Pakistani airlines that fly between the two countries? I wanted to fly from India to Karachi, Pakistan round trip in January 2010 but I can't seem to find any direct flights from Delhi-Karachi or Mumbai-Karachi on Kayak.com and several other sites I've tried. The only routes I can find go through the Middle East on carriers from that region, and then re-route back to Pakistan. Ergo, that is why tickets start around $800 US.

Am I missing something or have India and Pakistan ceased allowing commercial air traffic between their two nations?

If all else fails I figure I could cross the border and go from there into Lahore and then fly from Lahore to Karachi (PIA tickets are less then $150 US for round trip flights between those cities). Thanks tons in advance!

__________________
"I speak a strange language, sometimes even I don't understand." - D. Iyall

machadinha

Hmm, good question. My trusty travel agent ( http://worldticketcenter.nl/ ) comes up only with Oman Air on a quick search, at 1,000 Euros, over Muscat or Dubai indeed. Oh, on another date I find a similar flight with Emirates, at nearly E 1900, holy crap.

Surprises me really, the countries' obvious relations aside.

Anyone?

__________________
Reading tips, all picked up at IndiaMike : INDAX's A Comprehensive Guide To India / Dinoj Surendran's Desi Humor / ITHVC on Culture Shock & Travel Health / JetLag Travel Guides For the Undiscerning Traveller / India Travel Links

machadinha

... Wait wait wait, those are return flights, I strangely find single flights with e.g. Air India, Indian Airlines, and Jet Airways alright.

Still all going over the Mid-East, and at some 500-1000 Euros (including again some non-Indian companies), so still a lot of money.

kshastry

There are no direct flights now. There used to be direct flights between Mumbai-Karachi and Delhi-Lahore sectors, operated by PIA and Srilankan airlines.

If this needs to be done cheap (with one stop), then try combination of LCCs from Mumbai with a stop in a middle east.

Mumbai - Dubai (Air India Express, Jazeera airways)
Mumbai - Muscat (Air India Express)

Dubai - Karachi (Air Blue)
Muscat - Islamabad (Air Blue)

This can be done under USD 500. The only issue is the risk involving connectivity. With adequate layover cushion at connecting airport, this can be taken care of.

PS : I am assuming that OP is US passport holder and could avail on arrival visa at DXB or MCT for baggage claim.

__________________
My travel blog!

nycank

Currently, nearly all GDSs/Reservation Systems/ show of no non-stop between India, and Pakistan.

__________________
bade bhaisaheb is outsourced

Thoughtcrimes

Thanks all for your prompt responses.

Machadinha: Exactly, Oman Air is the cheapest carrier I found going into Karachi also, but not *cheap* I also did a search for round-trip flight routes from New Delhi-Lahore, a relatively short distance, and those start at $2300 US

NYcank: Thanks for the confirmation.

Khastry: I happen to be a US passport holder. Regarding the LCCs, assuming one can do so, I'm curious why those flight combinations don't show up in the system on Kayak.com as they are regularly spitting out multiple flight combos with other airlines (not sure whether those are only major airlines or not).

As an aside, as recently as last year there were evidently 28 direct flights per week between the two nations, as mentioned in this and other articles found online:
http://www.abc.net.au/cgi-bin/common...2/s2164548.htm

pathankot

As an aside, as recently as last year there were evidently 28 direct flights per week between the two nations, as mentioned in this and other articles found online:
http://www.abc.net.au/cgi-bin/common...2/s2164548.htm[/quote]

You can also Travel By Train to Lahore & from there you can take a flight to Karachi. I think it will save your time. The train is overnight.

__________________
Sands of Time..........

kshastry

LCCs don't show up on Kayak or for that matter any GDS systems. You need to book on their website.

www.airindiaexpress.in
www.airblue.com

Alternatively, you can get direct flights to Pakistan from Dhaka and Kathmandu. These flights should show up on Kayak. You need to find a cheap way to get to DAC or KTM from wherever you are in India.

Don't count on any newspaper reports as far as Indo-Pak relations are concerned.

nycank

LCCs and many other smaller airlines do not participate in the major reservations system. As you are well aware, Southwest does not participate in any Their website is the only source. But then SW is a domestic airline with a very sharp and well honed strategy.