NEW DELHI: The government has allocated flying rights to Akasa for three countries — Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Qatar — based on existing bilaterals to begin international operations this winter. Since the bilaterals for Dubai have been completely exhausted, the airline will have to wait to start flights to the biggest foreign destination for desi globetrotters.
Akasa has to apply for being a designated airline from India to the government. Once that status is given, other countries will be informed about the same. When those countries give the nod to the same as per their rules, Akasa can apply for slots at their airports, say people in the know.
Comments were sought from Akasa on this issue and awaited till the times of going to press.
Bilaterals with several key destinations for Indians like Dubai, Sharjah, Ras Al-Khaimah and Qatar are either fully or almost fully exhausted, making it difficult for new airlines like Akasa to stat flights or those who who already do so to add frequencies.
Bilaterals are signed between two countries to be used by designated carriers of each side. Countries check the substantial ownership and effective control (SOEC) of a foreign airline that wishes to fly to it. Some European carrier are an exception globally due to the fact that big airlines like Swiss and Austrian, which fly to other countries on bilaterals of Switzerland and Austria, have their effective control and ownership with Germany’s Lufthansa. This list is growi as Lufthansa is taking a stake in Italy’s ITA, the successor of bankrupt Alitalia.
Akasa, currently in news for a debilitating pilot exodus that saw it sue them and also seek judicial direction to DGCA to act on this issue, currently has 20 planes in its fleet. It is eligible to fly abroad under the amended 0/20 rule that allows an Indian carrier to do so after having minimum 20 planes in its fleet with no restriction on the number of years it has operated for. Earlier 5/20 rule had a minimum 5 years in operation clause that has been done away with.
Akasa has to apply for being a designated airline from India to the government. Once that status is given, other countries will be informed about the same. When those countries give the nod to the same as per their rules, Akasa can apply for slots at their airports, say people in the know.
Comments were sought from Akasa on this issue and awaited till the times of going to press.
Bilaterals with several key destinations for Indians like Dubai, Sharjah, Ras Al-Khaimah and Qatar are either fully or almost fully exhausted, making it difficult for new airlines like Akasa to stat flights or those who who already do so to add frequencies.
Bilaterals are signed between two countries to be used by designated carriers of each side. Countries check the substantial ownership and effective control (SOEC) of a foreign airline that wishes to fly to it. Some European carrier are an exception globally due to the fact that big airlines like Swiss and Austrian, which fly to other countries on bilaterals of Switzerland and Austria, have their effective control and ownership with Germany’s Lufthansa. This list is growi as Lufthansa is taking a stake in Italy’s ITA, the successor of bankrupt Alitalia.
Akasa, currently in news for a debilitating pilot exodus that saw it sue them and also seek judicial direction to DGCA to act on this issue, currently has 20 planes in its fleet. It is eligible to fly abroad under the amended 0/20 rule that allows an Indian carrier to do so after having minimum 20 planes in its fleet with no restriction on the number of years it has operated for. Earlier 5/20 rule had a minimum 5 years in operation clause that has been done away with.