The Hindu Business Line : Talks for bilateral air services with Singapore, HK may resume soon

INDIA is likely to resume bilateral air services talks with Singapore and Hong Kong in the near future, based on indications received from the two countries in this regard.

Indian officials have had meetings with their counterparts from these two countries earlier this year but the talks remained inconclusive.

Sources said that the talks had broken down because what was on offer was not "very beneficial to India".

While declining to confirm that the negotiations with Singapore came apart on the demand of that country for some 210 flights a week, officials said any increase in flights could be agreed to in a phased manner.

Meanwhile, the Government is keeping an open mind on the issue of following a limited open sky policy this year, especially in view of the liberal bilateral air services that have been negotiated in the recent past.

"The Government will have to look at several factors including considering if there is still unsatisfied demand after we have negotiated liberal bilateral air services with several countries. Besides, we will also have to examine how many airlines took up the offer when it was available in previous years," officials said.

India has negotiated air services agreements with several countries recently, including the US, the UK, France and China.

The agreement with the UK alone will see the number of flights rise to 56 to Delhi and Mumbai from London during the winter schedule of this year.

In addition, airlines from India have the option to operate without any capacity limit to the UK, except on the Delhi-London and Mumbai-London route.

Before the liberal air services agreements were signed, the Government followed a limited open sky policy to ensure that passengers wanting to travel to and from India do not face any problems.

International airlines were either allowed to operate more flights or bring in larger aircraft during the limited open sky period.

Last year, the Government decision helped international airlines offer more than 5,50,000 additional seats during the period of relaxation.

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