Indian Airlines would start regular operations to Pakistan from January 9 with a twice-weekly Delhi-Lahore-Delhi flight.

The IA would also operate two special flights -- primarily to carry media persons and officials for the SAARC Summit -- each on January 2 and January 7 to Islamabad, airline officials told PTI, adding that bookings for the regular Delhi-Lahore flights would be open from December 31. Pakistan International Airlines has already announced that it would launch direct flights to Delhi and Mumbai from January 1.

The aviation links between India and Pakistan were snapped from January 1, 2002, after the terrorist attack on Parliament on December 13, 2001.

IA officials said the Delhi-Lahore services would be operated on Fridays and Mondays with Airbus A320s.

Dates for commencing flights to Karachi would be taken finalised later.

The fares on Delhi-Lahore sector would be Rs 4,870 one-way and Rs 8,830 return on the Business Class and Rs 3,745 and Rs 6,795 in the Economy Class respectively.

IA has already opened its offices in Karachi and Lahore, with three local staffers at each place.

Under the existing bilateral agreements, which are to be upgraded at a later date, IA and PIA can fly 12 flights each week.

The PIA has already announced its decision to operate 12 flights a week -- five between Mumbai and Karachi, three on Delhi-Karachi and four on Delhi-Lahore sectors.