New Delhi: The government is considering a proposal to open up the skies in a limited way, by allowing unlimited civilian flights from countries that are more than 5,000 km or seven hours of flying time away. It will also insist on reciprocity from countries with which it agrees to have an open sky policy.
The proposal, if cleared, will prove to be a bonanza for European carriers such as Air France, KLM, Lufthansa, Swiss, British Airways and Virgin Atlantic. It will also open up the market for airlines from Australia, Africa and South America.
An open-sky policy allows designated airlines of a country, with which an agreement has been signed, to operate any number of flights to India.
India will follow the existing system of signing bilaterals with other countries. Under this system, there is a stipulation either on the number of flights or seats that airlines from the two countries can operate to destinations in the other country. The Civil Aviation Ministry, which is working on a new aviation policy, will first have to accept the proposal before it becomes a part of the revised policy. The policy is expected to be put in the public domain by the end of this month or early next month, for consultation, before it is finalised.
28/07/15 Ashwini Phadnis/Business Line
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The proposal, if cleared, will prove to be a bonanza for European carriers such as Air France, KLM, Lufthansa, Swiss, British Airways and Virgin Atlantic. It will also open up the market for airlines from Australia, Africa and South America.
An open-sky policy allows designated airlines of a country, with which an agreement has been signed, to operate any number of flights to India.
India will follow the existing system of signing bilaterals with other countries. Under this system, there is a stipulation either on the number of flights or seats that airlines from the two countries can operate to destinations in the other country. The Civil Aviation Ministry, which is working on a new aviation policy, will first have to accept the proposal before it becomes a part of the revised policy. The policy is expected to be put in the public domain by the end of this month or early next month, for consultation, before it is finalised.
28/07/15 Ashwini Phadnis/Business Line
