During the pandemic, India welcomed a few international nonstop flights ensuring the ease of travel from abroad in view of the entry and quarantine regulations. United Airlines’ Chicago to New Delhi, Air India’s SFO to Bengaluru, Air India’s Chicago to Hyderabad, Air India’s Chennai to London, and Air Vistara’s Delhi to London Heathrow made it to the list of nonstop flights to India beating the pandemic blues.
Given the rising demand for nonstop routes to and from India, the government is considering a proposal to cut on long-haul international travel via foreign hub airports including those in Europe and the Middle East. Currently, foreign airlines carry people between India and several other countries including the USA via their hub airports or the airports in their countries, as per the sixth-freedom flying rights given to them. For instance, travelers flying to Washington DC from New Delhi via Doha, Frankfurt, or London Heathrow, instead of taking a nonstop flight are part of the sixth-freedom traffic.
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The government of India is mulling over renegotiation of sixth-freedom flying rights and privileges with foreign countries and their flag carriers. Dubai-based Emirates Airlines, Doha-based Qatar Airways, Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways, Lufthansa, British Airways, and Singapore Airlines are among the biggest beneficiaries of sixth-freedom flying privileges in the India-USA travel sector.
Brought to the Ministry of Civil Aviation, the proposal seeks to encourage nonstop flights and reduce sixth-freedom traffic in favor of Indian airlines’ plans for launching more long-haul nonstop services. The proposed renegotiation of sixth-freedom privileges to foreign countries is aimed at creating ample room for the growth and expansion of Indian airlines in international aviation. Currently, India has bilateral foreign flying agreements with nearly 110 countries; however, the proposed renegotiation will be done with not all of the countries.
The move is being lauded as a sustainable means of self-reliance for the pandemic-hit Indian airlines in sync with the vision and mission of ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’. In addition to Air India, Air Vistara and SpiceJet are planning on expanding their networks with nonstop flights to long-haul destinations including USA, Canada, Mexico, Australia and Europe.
A reduction in the sixth-freedom flying rights to foreign hub carriers will lessen competition for Indian airlines on one hand and cut international route options for travel to and from India on the other. Lesser competition means higher fares. Reportedly, the current government of India, since its first term, has opined that the unlimited liberalization of the bilateral foreign flying rights has given foreign carriers too much exposure to Indian market. However, the Ministry of External Affairs’ consent is critical to taking a call for renegotiating the sixth-freedom flying rights with foreign countries.
In view of India’s new guidelines for international arrivals, traveling on nonstop flights to India from USA has certain advantages over traveling via the Middle East and Europe. Those flying into India directly from USA are exempted from taking a molecular test upon arrival. Those transiting in Europe or the Middle East can exit the arrival airport or proceed for an onward domestic flight only after giving their swab sample for a molecular test. In the exigency of a death in family, a traveler can apply on Air Suvidha for exemption from taking an RT-PCR test given he/she arrives on a nonstop flight to India.
Bad news. Forcing travelers to fly on AI, Indian airlines. Worse flying experience, less safety, more rude attitude of staff, nil customer service at higher fares.