Why India wants four seats for every additional seat allowed to airlines in Dubai » Today Latest Stories

India has made an unprecedented demand for four seats on its airlines for every additional seat it allows Dubai-based airlines to operate in the country, according to sources familiar with the matter. Typically, international aviation trade follows a bilateral process where countries mutually exchange rights.
However, India is seeking to create a more favorable situation for its airlines on international routes, according to an ET report.
According to the bilateral air services agreement signed between the United Arab Emirates The UAE (United Arab Emirates) and India in January 2014, airlines in both countries are allowed to operate a total of 66,000 seats per week between Dubai And 15 Indian cities. This quota has been fully utilized by Indian and UAE airlines, leaving no room for additional flights. The UAE has asked the Indian Ministry of Civil Aviation to increase the number of seats in Dubai by an additional 50,000 seats.

This was stated by an official Indian Airlines It primarily provides a point-to-point service to Dubai, while UAE-based airlines use their allocations for it Sixth freedom of passage To Europe and North America, which are more profitable routes. Sixth Freedom: Traffic refers to passengers traveling from one country to another through airports. In FY 2019-20, 69% of Indian passengers flying to Europe and North America used West Asian hubs such as Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Doha on foreign airlines.

Moreover, it was noted that Indian airlines did not receive any government funding during the Covid crisis, while UAE airlines benefited from significant government support. The Indian government, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, aims to provide a level playing field for Indian airlines like it Indian water And Indigo On medium and long-haul routes to Europe and North America.
The move is supported by Air India, which seeks to expand its business on long-haul routes using wide-body aircraft.
Campbell Wilson, CEO of Air India, expressed concerns about excess capacity allowing passengers to choose other airlines to fly to North America, hampering Air India’s operations. He stressed the importance of nurturing the local market for the benefit of the economy.

Emirates Airlines and Turkish Airlines criticized these protectionist measures, arguing that they would harm consumers. Emirates Airlines President Tim Clark confirmed that approximately 65% ​​of international flights operated by Indian airlines go to Dubai. He warned that failure to expand capacity would result in a loss of Indian citizens and a loss of $800-$900 million in annual income for airlines.
Read from ET |Order India from Dubai Airlines
The Indian government is also developing a national policy to transform its airports into major international hubs, providing seamless international connectivity to the entire South Asia region. This policy, which requires Cabinet approval, aims to simplify security and immigration processes at airports, allocate international aviation rights, and develop the necessary infrastructure. The goal is to make airports like New Delhi competitive transit hubs, competing with popular destinations like Dubai and Changi Airport in Singapore.