More bilateral air traffic pacts to open up Indian sky further

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 in Mumbai on Tueday 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.

"There is more to the bilateral agreements than just seat entitlements. There are 41 articles in it related to safety, security, code shares," he said.

Some of the agreements would be revised to incorporate security aspects of flight operations.

Delegates from 65 countries will be holding negotiations with each other. India has bilateral air services agreements with 108 countries, 72 foreign airlines are currently operating to/from various destinations.

Three Indian carriers are operating to 35 destinations in 25 countries. Civil aviation ministry officials from India will be be negotiating with the US, UK and the Gulf states among others.

An aviation source said private Indian carriers are lobbying with the government to allow them to introduce more flights to Oman and Saudi Arabia.

"There is demand for an increase in flights to Hong Kong," he added.

Similarly, countries like the UAE are demanding that India allow additional seat entitlements.

The government is also expected to take up with Swiss delegates the issue of ownership of Swiss International Airline, the designated carrier of that country.

India contends the airline violates substantial ownership and effective control clause in air services agreement, as it is now controlled by Lufthansa German airlines.

The Swiss government has rejected the charge.