India Eases Access to International Routes for Private Carriers
India's government is finally opening access to international routes to help its struggling airlines.
Kingfisher Airlines has just suspended long-haul service to London after handing back a leased Airbus A330-200. (Photo: Airbus)
Kingfisher Airlines has just suspended long-haul service to London after handing back a leased Airbus A330-200. (Photo: Airbus)

In a reversal from an earlier policy, which gave state-owned Air India preference over bilateral aviation agreements for international routes, the Indian government will now open access to private airlines. “Increasing traffic rights can help private carriers eliminate some of their financial problems as international routes are more profitable,” said Indian civil aviation minister Ajit Singh, announcing the policy U-turn at the India Aviation show in Hyderabad on March 14. Privately owned airlines will get between 500 and 600 new international flights this year, raising Indian carriers’ overall share of international routes in and out of India from the present 30 percent to 40 percent.