New Delhi: Indian Airlines (IA) would start regular operations to Pakistan from January 9 with a twice-weekly Delhi-Lahore-Delhi flight, it was decided today (Dec 30, 2003).

The IA would also operate two special flights - primarily to carry mediapersons and officials for the SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Co-operation) Summit - each on January 2 and January 7 to Islamabad, airline officials said, adding that bookings for the regular Delhi-Lahore flights would be open from tomorrow (Dec 31).

Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has already announced launching of 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 the previous year.