India and Kuwait have agreed to liberalise their air treaty, increasing weekly seat capacity to 18,000 after an 18-year hiatus. This decision, driven by high demand from Indian workers in the Gulf, aims to lower ticket prices. The agreement prioritises landing slots for Indian airlines and reflects a case-by-case approach to foreign carrier access while protecting Indian aviation interests.
The issue of enhanced air connectivity was discussed during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the country in December.
Indian and Kuwaiti carriers, including Air India Express, Akasa Air, IndiGo, Jazeera Airways, and Kuwait Airways, operate nearly 40 flights daily between the two countries. Kuwait Airways, with 54, and Indigo, with 36, are the two largest carriers from both sides.
International flying rights are allocated on a bilateral reciprocal basis. Since assuming power in 2014, successive National Democratic Alliance governments have taken a hawkish stance on extending flying rights to international airlines, primarily those from the Middle East.
The agreement is a sign that the government is willing to grant more access to foreign carriers on a case-by-case basis, thereby lowering ticket prices while protecting the interests of Indian airlines. In the last year, India has signed new air treaties with Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia and Uzbekistan.
The government stated that this was aimed at protecting Indian airlines and converting airports into transit hubs, similar to Dubai and Changi. In 2016, India, in its National Civil Aviation Policy, framed guidelines stating that unless the utilisation from the Indian rise reaches 80%, additional flying rights will not be granted.
“We will follow an Insia fits policy on any negotiation about air service agreements; we will be open to any suggestions wherever customers will benefit and our airlines will get a good deal,” a government official said.
The Ministry of External Affairs in December told a parliamentary committee on External Affairs that India and various Gulf countries are holding discussions on the civil aviation issue, including the Air Services Agreement from time to time.
“Efforts are being made for the introduction of more flights and destinations between the two countries that will result in the reduction of the cost of tickets for journeys,” the ministry said.
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