Airport capacity shortage a roadblock for overseas foray into India

Limited bilateral flying rights another challenge for airlines; Major airports like Delhi and Mumbai are choked with air traffic, restricting addition of new flights

The two Tata group-owned airlines Vistara and AirAsia India are busy chalking out their international expansion plans, but limited bilateral flying rights and a capacity shortage at Indian airports are among the challenges before them, company executives and industry analysts said.

Major airports like Delhi and Mumbai are choked with air traffic, restricting the addition of new flights, while constrained flying rights may narrow the scope of the two airlines to expand in the Middle East and Asian markets.

AirAsia India has been unable to start operations from Mumbai, while Vistara has been forced to add late-night flights from the city as