The Hindu Business Line : Open sky policy

This is with reference to the editorial "Air turbulence" (Business Line, March 11). The editorial brings out the possible reasons for not resuming talks with the UK on the open skies policy. Being silent on the mounting expense on security will not solve the problem.

The demand of IATA to incur the expenses of air transport security by the governments is justified in the wake of increasing global terrorist activities and as the other modes of transport are state funded for security purposes. It is significant that India is the beneficiary of the expansion of services from the UK. The reported 20 per cent increase of tourists in the last two months is only but an example.

India should, therefore, try to break the impasse on the subject. Britain's interest to increase flights to South Indian destination such as Kochi or Chennai and India's desire for more "peak hour slots" at Heathrow airport should be accommodated by both sides. The environmental hurdles that are likely to crop up as a result of the construction of a new runway should also be addressed.

C. P. Velayudhan Nair

Kochi

Letters to the editor and contributions can be sent by e-mail to: bleditor@thehindu.co.in

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