The Hindu Business Line : Open Sky Policy likely from Nov

The Open Sky Policy is likely to be in place this year also. The policy allows international airlines to operate larger aircraft and also operate more flights to India during the peak winter season.

Official sources said the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has moved a proposal to follow an Open Sky Policy for four months beginning November.

Traditionally, during the open sky period, international airlines are allowed to increase frequency or bring in larger aircraft irrespective of capacity that they are allowed under the existing air services bilateral agreement.

"The Government is keen to ensure passengers are not inconvenienced and air seats are easily available during the upcoming winter season. With this in mind, the DGCA proposal is being reviewed," official sources said.

Policy relaxation

Some international airlines have, however, called for the relaxation to be extended till March for it to be truly effective. "There is huge traffic to the US west coast that travels during March and an extension would help them," the official of an international airline said.

In the last few years that the Union Government has followed an open sky policy, the airlines from the Gulf, West Asia, South-East and South Asia have been the largest beneficiary of relaxation in policy.

Emirates may take up offer

The Senior Vice-President, Commercial Operations, West Asia and Indian Ocean of the Dubai-based Emirates Airlines, Mr Nabil Sultan, told Business Line that the airline would look at the possibility of taking up the Government offer.

The Government has also signed liberal air services bilaterals with various countries, including the US, the UK, Germany and France.

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