Part of: GS Prelims and Mains II – India and the World, International Relations; Policies of countries affecting India’s interest
In news:
UAE is keen to have an open sky agreement with India.
India has a open skies policy with SAARC countries and those beyond the 5,000-km radius, which implies that nations within this distance need to enter into a bilateral agreement and mutually determine the number of flights that their airlines can operate between the two countries. (as per National Civil Aviation Policy (2016))
It is this policy that the UAE Ambassador wants India to revisit.
About Open Sky Agreement
Open Sky Agreements are bilateral agreements that the two countries negotiate to provide rights for airlines to offer international passenger and cargo services. It expands international passenger and cargo flights.
India has Air Service Agreements (ASA) with 109 countries including UAE. But, India does not allow unlimited number of flights between two countries.
Open skies between India and UAE will allow unlimited number of flights to the selected cities of each other’s countries.
