By IANS,
New Delhi : Many foreign airlines are now taking off from Indian airports during daylight hours, a government official said Saturday.
This change started after the government asked the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) to do away with night services.
According to an aviation ministry official, India, which is a member of ICAO, has been contending that the many European and US airports that have night curfews should do away with the practice.
This practice was unfair to travellers from the developing world, especially those in the east, said the official.
Getting no response, the civil aviation ministry has been pressing international carriers to do away with night services from India as well and to operate additional flights during the day. This will keep Indian airports at major metros operational for 24 hours, said an official.
International carriers like Singapore Airlines and Thai Airways have launched new morning flights from Delhi. Cathay Pacific, which operates two flights a day, flies one each during morning and evening hours.
Virgin Atlantic has introduced day flights from Delhi to Europe and other destinations. British Airways has followed by introducing its additional flight during the day.
German carrier Lufthansa now operates day flights to Munich out of Delhi and Mumbai, apart from its night services to Frankfurt.