Govt for easing aviation rule to link smaller nations

The civil aviation ministry is contemplating relaxing the substantial ownership and effective control clause in its air services agreement with smaller countries.
The SOEC clause says only airlines owned by a country or its citizens can fly from the nation concerned to India and use the quota of seats allotted under a bilateral pact between the countries.
"At the International Civil Aviation Organisation conference this year in Mumbai , our focus was on having bilateral relationships with African countries, that many reciprocated.
"But many said they cannot afford an airline and cannot sign the bilaterals with a substantial ownership clause," said a ministry official, requesting anonymity.
The official added they were looking at changing the norm to bring all these countries on board.
At the conference, India signed bilateral agreements with Uganda and Mozambique, but could not ink a pact with many others because of the SOEC clause.
20/12/11 Rediff.com

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Categories: Foreign Dec 2011, Indian Aviation- In General Dec 2011, New Dec 2011