India's Open Sky Policy

Open sky refers to an agreement between two countries to allow any number of airlines to fly fromeither of them without any restriction on number of flights, number of destinations, number of seats, price and so on. However, this is a general definition. In actual practice, there are always some restrictions.

What is Open Sky Policy and Agreement?

Policy

Open Sky Policy is a international policy that calls for the liberalisation of the rules and regulations of the international aviation industry, especially commercial aviation in order to create a free-market environment for the airline industry. It apies to passenger, all-cargo, and combination air transportation as well as scheduled and charter services. Its primary objectives are-

• To liberalise the rules for international aviation markets and minimise government intervention.
• To adjust the regime under which military and other State-based fligts may be permitted.

Agreement

Open Sky Agreement is bilateral or multilateral air transport agreement that contract to liberalise aviation services,usually commercial civil aviation, between two or more contracting states. A bilateral or multilateral air services agreement allows the airlines of nations to launch a commercial flight that covers te transport of passengers and cargoes of particular nation. The agreement may sometimes include the transport of military personnel of the contracting states.

India's current Open Sky Policy Agreements

Infia is no stranger to the concept of an open skies policy. In 2005, India signed an open sky agreement with the USA, resulting in unlimited seat quotas between the two countries. Recently, India has Open sky agreements with the UK, ASEAN and some other countries.

The agreements are ass follows-

• There is no restriction on number of flights, seats or destinations to/from the USA.
• India has open sky with UK with restrictions on frequencies with respect to flights to and from Mumbai and Delhi.
• For some tourist destinations of ASEAN, India has limited open sky policy.
• India has also entered into bilateral agreements with more than 100 countries over landing points, traffic rights, seasons, capacity etc.

On September 7, 2016,India has signed open skies agreement with Greece. Greece is the first country that has signed open skies with India after the aviation policy cleared by the Cabinet. This will allow carriers from our country to launch any number of flights to any destination in Greece.

Open Sky Policy, Agreement with SAARC countries

As per National Civil Aviation policy 2016,the government has planned to enter into an Open Sky Air Service Agreement on a reciprocal basis with SAARC countries and countries with territory located entirely beyond a 5000km radius from New Delhi. Unlimited flights above the existing bilateral rights will be allowed directly to and from major airports within the country,as notified by the government time to time. However, the points of call at other airports under the existing Air Service Agreement will continue to be honoured till the same are renegotiated.