More bilateral air traffic pacts to open up Indian sky further

Mumbai: India will negotiate bilateral air traffic rights with 35 nations in its bid to start additional foreign flights from the country.
The negotiations will be held here tomorrow at the International Civil Aviation Negotiations Conference which will be inaugurated by President Pratibha Patil. Civil Aviation Minister Vayalar Ravi and two former ministers —Praful Patel and Rajiv Pratap Rudy — will be present along with top officials from airlines and airports.
The conclave comes close on the heels of the Comptroller and Auditor General criticising the government for “liberally granting” traffic rights to foreign carriers from the Gulf. The CAG report also flayed the authorities for failing to protect the interests of Air India. Simultaneously, private Indian carriers want approval to expand international operations — and airports like Delhi too are pushing the government to allow more foreign flights.
A bilateral agreement grants airlines reciprocal flying rights from respective countries. However as the CAG noted, foreign airlines were utilising almost two-third per cent of entitlements, while the Indian carriers were utilising only one-fourth. Foreign carriers were granted permission to several airports in India, penetrating the domestic market. CAG had recommended that government freeze or, if possible, roll back some of the entitlements.
“We will uphold India’s interests,”' civil aviation secretary Dr Nasim Zaidi stated. The talks are being held after three rounds of inter-ministerial meetings that include secretaries from external affairs, tourism and economic affairs department. Zaidi, though, was tightlipped on whether India would extend seat entitlements with other countries.
17/10/11 Aneesh Phadnis/Business Standard

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Categories: Foreign Oct 2011, Indian Aviation- In General Oct 2011