India, Russia to discuss aviation issues next month

New Delhi: With India and Russia coming too close to a diplomatic row over their civil aviation relations a week ago, the two sides will discuss the issues to resolve differences at a meeting in Moscow next month.
"Both sides will hold discussions on June 14-15 in Moscow on issues relating to overflights, landing rights and other aviation-related matters", Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel said in reply to questions here.
A diplomatic stand-off was averted at the last moment on May 15 when Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) prohibited the operation of Russia's airlines, Aeroflot and Transco, as a counter to Moscow's decision to ban Air India and Jet Airways not to overfly its airspace. Both countries went back on their decisions that night itself blaming the fiasco on a "communication gap."
Sources said Moscow's decision to bar Indian carrier's from overflying Russian airspace came due to differences over bilateral air traffic rights and its financial aspects.
Russia's decision to bar the two Indian carriers from operating their flights to London and other European destinations through the Russian airspace could have led to increase in travel time by about an hour and put a heavy burden on costs, especially in terms of additional fuel consumption.
As per a bilateral agreement reviewed last year, both countries have to allow their designated carriers to fly over their respective territories. It also allows operation of 12 frequencies between Moscow and Delhi and five between Moscow and Mumbai.
22/05/07 Zee News

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Categories: Foreign May 2007, General Aviation May 2007