Foreign carriers may not get landing rights on demand


Signalling a major shift in granting air traffic rights, the government is looking at restricting the number of landing points for overseas airlines irrespective of their seat entitlements. 

The thinking on these lines comes against the backdrop of Gulf carriers cornering a large chunk of international air traffic from India because of having landing rights across a number of airports in the country. 

A senior Civil Aviation Ministry official said it was looking at restricting the ports of call given to foreign airlines under bilaterals while remaining flexible on seat entitlements. 

Some foreign carriers pitch for more landing points as well as higher number of seats but at times allowing such requests could hurt domestic carriers, the official said. 

"There should be a balance between the interests of passengers and the interests of Indian carriers," he said, adding, at present, the balance seems to be tilted towards overseas airlines. 

According to the official, restrictions would in a way ensure that foreign airlines do not make certain places their regional hubs for air services. 


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