Government's protective stance splits aviation sector
AVIATION & AIRPORTS

Government's protective stance splits aviation sector

The aviation industry in India finds itself at odds over the country's decision to suspend flying rights to Middle Eastern nations. Air India's CEO, Campbell Wilson, has advocated for restricting market access for foreign carriers, expressing concerns about protecting investments in the airline. He mentioned that Air India has made significant investments in ordering aircraft, totalling over $100 billion, and any opening of the Indian market to foreign airlines could jeopardise these investments.

Wilson's stance, however, has not garnered support from other Indian carriers like IndiGo and the new players, Akasa, who are eager to expand their operations to the Middle East. Experts predict that the liberalisation of bilateral rights will become a contentious issue in the Indian civil aviation industry under the new government.

Wilson's statements came shortly after Tim Clark, the president of Emirates, criticised the Indian government's move, arguing that it would limit choices for Indian air passengers and have negative implications for India's economy in the long term.

Meanwhile, the UAE has requested an increase of 50,000 seats per week to India, citing the significant growth in traffic between the two countries. However, the current quota for flights to Dubai has been exhausted since the last increase in flying rights in 2014, despite the exponential rise in traffic on routes between India and Dubai, notably the Delhi-Dubai route, which is one of the busiest in the world according to travel data analytics firm OAG.

The aviation industry in India finds itself at odds over the country's decision to suspend flying rights to Middle Eastern nations. Air India's CEO, Campbell Wilson, has advocated for restricting market access for foreign carriers, expressing concerns about protecting investments in the airline. He mentioned that Air India has made significant investments in ordering aircraft, totalling over $100 billion, and any opening of the Indian market to foreign airlines could jeopardise these investments. Wilson's stance, however, has not garnered support from other Indian carriers like IndiGo and the new players, Akasa, who are eager to expand their operations to the Middle East. Experts predict that the liberalisation of bilateral rights will become a contentious issue in the Indian civil aviation industry under the new government. Wilson's statements came shortly after Tim Clark, the president of Emirates, criticised the Indian government's move, arguing that it would limit choices for Indian air passengers and have negative implications for India's economy in the long term. Meanwhile, the UAE has requested an increase of 50,000 seats per week to India, citing the significant growth in traffic between the two countries. However, the current quota for flights to Dubai has been exhausted since the last increase in flying rights in 2014, despite the exponential rise in traffic on routes between India and Dubai, notably the Delhi-Dubai route, which is one of the busiest in the world according to travel data analytics firm OAG.

Next Story
Infrastructure Transport

Final 76 Km Stretch Of Samruddhi Mahamarg To Open June 5

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis is set to inaugurate the final 76-kilometre stretch of the Nagpur-Mumbai Super Communication Expressway on 5 June. The remaining segment between Igatpuri in Nashik and Amane in Thane will be opened to vehicular traffic on the same day, completing the 701-kilometre corridor.Constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 11.82 billion, the final section was jointly funded by the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) and the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). It features three interchanges – at Igatpuri, Kutghar (Shahapur), and Ama..

Next Story
Infrastructure Transport

Over 800 Objections Filed Against Purandar Airport Land Plan

The land acquisition process for the proposed Purandar International Airport in Maharashtra has run into resistance, with the Pune district administration receiving over 800 formal objections from villagers across seven affected villages. These submissions will now be individually reviewed in scheduled hearings in the coming weeks.The objections come in response to a government notification issued in March 2025, declaring over 2,750 hectares of land—spread across 3,352 survey numbers in Vanpuri, Udachiwadi, Kumbharvalan, Ekhatpur, Munjwadi, Khanwadi, and Pargaon villages—as an ‘Industria..

Next Story
Infrastructure Transport

IndiGo, BIAL Partner To Build Bengaluru’s Largest MRO Hub

IndiGo has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Bangalore International Airport Ltd (BIAL) to develop a major Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facility at Kempegowda International Airport. The initiative marks a significant step in boosting aircraft repair capabilities and operational efficiency for the airline’s growing fleet.As part of the agreement, BIAL will allocate approximately 31 acres of land for the dedicated MRO complex, which will support the maintenance of both narrow-body and wide-body aircraft. The facility is designed to improve aircraft availability and red..

Advertisement

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Talk to us?