'India is giving selective traffic rights wherever it makes sense to allocate those traffic rights.'
India and China will resume direct flight services by the end of this month after a five-year gap, signaling an effort to rebuild ties strained by the border standoff in eastern Ladakh.
Indian airports' push to become global hubs will depend on reducing passenger leakage to rival airports abroad, scaling up direct long-haul connectivity, and offering transfer experiences that are faster, smoother, and more attractive than those of regional competitors, said panellists at the Business Standard Infrastructure Summit on Thursday.
India and China have announced a series of measures aimed at improving their relationship, including maintaining peace along the border, reopening border trade, and resuming direct flights.
Restricting air access to foreign carriers by not granting them more bilateral rights is akin to shooting yourself in the foot, as air transport is a wealth multiplier for India's economy, Emirates President Tim Clark said during a press conference held on the sidelines of the annual general meeting of the International Air Transport Association.
The development also comes against the backdrop of Turkiye backing Pakistan and condemning India's strikes on terror camps in the neighbouring country earlier this month.
Air India will no longer enjoy a priority in allocation of international traffic rights. This follows its takeover by Tata Sons in January. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation has dropped a clause which gave Air India an advantage over other private airlines in the amended rules issued on April 19.
Aviation regulator DGCA has asked Tata Group-owned Air India to repair its aircraft after a passenger complained on social media on Monday about the plane's shabby interiors, including a broken armrest, officials said. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) had last Wednesday grounded a SpiceJet aircraft over a passenger's complaint of dirty seats and malfunctioning cabin panels. The SpiceJet plane took to the skies a day later after all the suggested repairs were effected.
West Asian carriers are up against Air India and IndiGo in the battle for seats on lucrative international routes.
Budget carrier SpiceJet on Thursday said it has been designated as the "Indian scheduled carrier" to operate flights to the US.
GMR, GVK have taken up the issue with civil aviation ministry.
Both sides expressed desire to expand scope of existing air services agreement and agree to continue discussion for the enhancement of capacities, frequencies and gateways for the benefit of the travelling public of two countries
A free and open aviation market, where the government keeps the interest of consumers higher than saving any airline.
Jet Airways is undergoing insolvency proceedings and at least three entities have put in initial bids for the carrier.
Amid controversy over the Jet Airways-Etihad deal, the Prime Minister's Office on Tuesday said the stake sale matter was still under examination and the issues raised have been referred to various concerned ministries.
Manmohan Singh clarifies his office's involvement in the deal that's facing criticism from the opposition and the media.
Urging the government to initiate talks with Abu Dhabi on the bilateral air services agreement, Jet has written to the Civil Aviation Ministry seeking its nod for expanding its services through Abu Dhabi and expansion of bilateral aviation ties with that country.
Govt plans to relax air service norms, let international airlines fly any aircraft to India.
In 2017, 60 million passengers flew between India and the UAE, the largest overseas air travel market from India.
Agreement paves the way for increased air connectivity between both countries and has the potential to spur trade investment, tourism and strengthening the cultural exchange between India and Brazil.
Changes in India's air services agreements with these countries were approved by the Cabinet at its meeting chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in New Delhi on Thursday, Information and Broadcasting Minister P R Dasmunsi told reporters. Earlier, the seat capacity was used to be decided in advance through agreements between the airlines.
A revised air services agreement between India and Australia, aimed at designating as many airlines as the two nations wished for, was approved by the Union Cabinet a day ahead of Australian Premier John Howard's visit.
The government has signed an air services agreement based on 'Open Sky' principle with the US and another with the UK but not based on the said principle which has resulted in enhanced air seat capacity for foreign tourists.
Air France on Wednesday said it wants to upgrade its codeshare arrangement with Air-India in the face of heightened competition on Indian destinations from British Airways and Lufthansa.
Singapore Airlines is planning to augment its operations in Delhi, Chennai and Bangalore and tapping certain secondary markets in India.
This follows the Union Cabinet approving enhanced traffic rights between India and Abu Dhabi.
India and Qatar on Wednesday signed a bilateral air services agreement to improve connectivity and decided to further bolster multifaceted ties between the two countries.
The skies have opened up for Indian carriers in the US and the UK with the government liberalising the air services agreement with the two countries.
India has told the US government that due consideration would be given to the offer of American aircraft major, Boeing for the fleet acquisition plans of Air India and Indian Airlines, US Transportation Secretary Norman Y Mineta said on Thursday.
In its spree to expand flights to India, the government has updated the bilateral agreements with Belgium and the Netherlands allowing a total of 42 frequencies per week to and from the two countries.
Among the Indian carriers, Air India, Air India Express, IndiGo, and SpiceJet operate flights to Saudi Arabia while Saudi Arabian Airlines and Flynas are the two carriers operating in India.
Govt gave 36,000 seats per week more than inter-ministerial group's recommendations.
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