The government is considering a proposal to open up the skies in a limited way, by allowing unlimited civilian flights from countries that are more than 5,000 km or seven hours of flying time away. It will also insist on reciprocity from countries with which it agrees to have an open sky policy.

The proposal, if cleared, will prove to be a bonanza for European carriers such as Air France, KLM, Lufthansa, Swiss, British Airways and Virgin Atlantic. It will also open up the market for airlines from Australia, Africa and South America.

No limits

An open-sky policy allows designated airlines of a country, with which an agreement has been signed, to operate any number of flights to India.

India will follow the existing system of signing bilaterals with other countries. Under this system, there is a stipulation either on the number of flights or seats that airlines from the two countries can operate to destinations in the other country. The Civil Aviation Ministry, which is working on a new aviation policy, will first have to accept the proposal before it becomes a part of the revised policy. The policy is expected to be put in the public domain by the end of this month or early next month, for consultation, before it is finalised.

Since certain aspects of the proposal, such as the one on foreign flying rights, have larger consequences, the proposal will also be scrutinised by other Ministries, including the Finance Ministry and the Prime Minister’s office, before a final decision is taken.

The acceptance of the proposal in its current form could see Turkey, which is only about six hours away, being excluded from the countries with which India follows an open sky agreement. Turkish Airlines, the national airline of Turkey, has been keen to operate more flights to India.

Air India and Jet Airways will be the only two carriers from India that will gain immediately if the proposal is accepted as they are the only airlines with large aircraft capable of flying such long routes.

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