Established Indian carriers happy with policy status quo
India appears to have ruled out any early prospect of increased international competition among its airlines.

India appears to have ruled out any early prospect of increased international competition among its airlines. The move will disappoint recent start-up operators looking for a relaxation of current policy that bars Indian carriers with less than five years’ experience from international routes.

Despite hopes that a new policy would allow carriers operating for at least three years to offer overseas service, civil aviation minister Praful Patel said last October that there will be no change. The decision came amid dynamic industry momentum as private Indian operators compete against the country’s two recently merged government-owned carriers–Air India and Indian Airlines–which in the future will operate as Air India.