Govt plans to expand airline bilaterals

In a move that will improve air connectivity to India, the government is planing to expand the scope of bilateral air service agreements with other countries.

Civil Aviation minister Praful Patel today met External Affairs minister Natwar Singh to discuss issues related to bilateral air service agreements.

"There is a need to improve air-links. We are looking at ways to expand the existing bilateral agreements," Patel said after his meeting with Singh.

On the issue to designating the private Indian carriers as designated carriers, Patel said that the issue can be addressed in individual bilateral with companies as well as in the proposed civil aviation policy.

He also said that the government is keen on expanding the air service with the Asean countries.

"We have very good airlinks with Asean countries. But there is scope for improvement," Patel said.

The government also wants to add additional services to the Gulf countries for Indian Airlines and Air India.

This comes at a time, when Air India is planing to launch its low cost carrier.

"Gulf needs more connections. Both the carriers can add more services. We are taking up the issue with the authorities there," he said.

On the issue of permitting Indian private carriers to fly to Asean and South East Asian countries, he said that the government is examining the issue.

The government was expected to permit scheduled Indian private carriers to fly to South East Asian countries, opening the way for carriers like Jet Airways, Air Deccan and Air Sahara to fly to more lucrative destinations like Singapore.

The government currently permits private carriers to fly to Nepal, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. Government sources said that the permission is to fly daily flights to the some of the key hubs like Singapore in the region.

Private Indian carriers have been pushing for permission to fly to countries other than SAARC as these routes are more lucrative than the existing sector.

Airlines like Jet Airways have started preliminary discussions with various airports to start services. Sources also said that the airlines will also be required to sort out logistic issues like time table, fares as well as domestic links.