Aircraft flying over areas south of the Himalayan range should follow this new system. The vertical gap between two planes flying at a height of over 29,000 feet from the sea level in these air routes will be allowed to reduce up to 1000 feet from the earlier limit of 2000 feet.

Air traffic control divisions say that this will help to increase the number of flights and their efficiency. Air traffic controllers point out that this vertical gap could be reduced by using special equipment fitted to aircraft.

Sri Lanka, India, Nepal, Bangladesh, The Maldives, Pakistan and Malaysia will control air traffic under the new system, with effect from today.