Financial Daily from THE HINDU group of publications
Wednesday, Sep 28, 2005
Financial Daily from THE HINDU group of publications Wednesday, Sep 28, 2005 |
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Airlines US, India working on aviation co-operation programme Our Bureau
Kolkata , Sept. 27 THE Federal Aviation Administration of the US and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation of India are working on an aviation co-operation programme to exploit the opportunities thrown up by the Open Skies Aviation Agreement signed by the two countries on April 14, replacing a restrictive 1956 agreement, according to US Government sources. One important feature of the co-operation programme will be to create training facilities in the US for Indian pilots, air traffic controllers and navigators. The Federal Aviation Administration will create slots in various US airlines and other organisations to provide facilities for building up skilled manpower, the demand for which is rising in India's civil aviation sector. "The aviation co-operation programme will bring the US Government and the private sector together with the Indian Government and the aviation community to support initiatives such as technical assistance, jobs training and personnel exchanges," sources said. They identify three areas that need serious attention - acquisition of aircraft, augmentation of airport capacity and building up skilled manpower. "As it is already evident, the economic fallout of the Open Skies Agreement is going to be a tremendous benefit to both the countries," the sources said. The agreement provides passenger and cargo carriers from both countries unlimited access to each other's markets. It removes restrictions from Indian and American carriers in establishing routes between and within the two countries, and removes regulations on pricing. It also allows airlines from two countries to form co-operative alliances in transporting passengers. Following the signing of the agreement, several private Indian carriers, along with India's national carrier Air India, are now poised to offer services to various US destinations. "Once Air India's aircraft acquisition programme is through, it should be possible to offer the `Bollywood to Hollywood Express' connecting Mumbai with Los Angeles with a non-stop service," the sources said. Three of the American airlines, namely, Continental, American Airlines and North-West were already offering services out of Indian cities to various US destinations. North-West will soon add to its service by connecting Bangalore with Minneapolis via Amsterdam. United Airline too is mulling services to and from India, it is pointed out. The Open Skies Aviation Agreement also allows code-sharing arrangement between the airlines of the two countries.
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