Flight path deal to ease airline costs

Cash-strapped airlines look set to save millions on their fuel bills following a new agreement to relax global flight path restrictions.

Under the deal, which came after a round of talks between 21 governments and their airlines, many countries have agreed to open up air space previously reserved for military aircraft.

The biggest change will take place in the skies over southern Asia, with India, Pakistan and Iran all easing restrictions on commercial aircraft routes.

According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), the agreement could cut average travel times on routes between Europe and Asia by up to 30 minutes.

Cost savings

The shorter flight times are expected to trim the airline industry's annual fuel costs by $55m (£37.2m).

While some countries have retained minimum cruising altitudes for passenger aircraft, or continue to bar commercial flights during daylight hours, the only strict no-fly zones now left are over Iraq and parts of Afghanistan.

The IATA said the agreement will usher in the largest ever shake-up of international flight routes.

The fuel cost savings will be welcomed by long-haul airlines, many of which are still struggling with an abrupt downturn in passenger numbers in the wake of last year's 11 September attacks.

The air travel slump helped push former Swiss national carrier Swissair into bankruptcy, and has also contributed to a financial crisis currently threatening the future of United Airlines, America's second largest airline.