No new flying rights for Dubai, Qatar and Singapore after opposition from local carriers, says report

India will keep bilateral flying rights with Dubai, Singapore and Qatar unchanged, reported The Economic Times. The decision, according to the report, comes amid opposition by local carriers.

An official close to the development claimed that the Indian carriers opposed the move as they feared it would affect their on expansion to the international market, said the report. The fear comes due to the fact that carriers based in these three destinations are known for carrying a large volume of Sixth-freedom traffic, i.e. those who take flights beyond the home base of the airline.

“The objection by Indian carriers has been on the grounds that these carriers carry a lot of sixth-freedom traffic through their hubs, thus taking away business from Indian carriers…We have accepted their concerns and would not be agreeing on any increase in foreign flying rights with these countries,” an aviation ministry official was quoted as saying in the report.

“This move would not only take away options from the consumer but also goes against the concept of free market,”  Mark Martin, CEO and founder of aviation advisory Martin Consulting, was quoted saying in the report. Further, the decision will also hurt carriers like Vistara, that is just taking steps to begin international operations, the report added.