Airliners-India.com

sri_bom · Member Joined: 22 Dec 2006 Posts: 2365 Location: Singapore

DUBAI: Hundreds of passengers travelling to India may have to make alternative arrangements with Kuwait indicating that it would not allow 'Air India' and 'Indian' flights to land in its capital from July one.

The move comes after New Delhi's reported unwillingness to allow an increase in the number of Kuwaiti flights from India despite Kuwait's request in line with a pact signed between both the countries, the Arab Times report said on Monday.

India's unwillingness is seen as an attempt to safeguard the interest of its state-owned carriers, it said.

A circular indicating that Kuwait would not allow the flights of Indian carriers at its airport was issued to Air India and Indian by its Director General of Civil Aviation, the report quoted an unnamed 'Indian' official as saying.

While a Kuwait Airways official said India have so far not taken any step in response to the circular, the 'Indian' official expressed hope that the ongoing talks between Kuwait and India in New Delhi would find a solution to the issue.

"We are in touch with our head office in Delhi. On a daily basis, about 100 passengers of Indian alone will be displaced if DGCA goes ahead with its decision," the 'Indian' official said adding, "We will know the outcome of the talks by Tuesday."

The Indian carriers, meanwhile, are in talks with other airlines to make alternate arrangements if the two sides fail to hammer out a deal.

Passengers wishing to cancel their bookings with Indian airlines can do so without paying any cancellation fees thereby making their own arrangements, an official said.

Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Kuwait_to_stop_AI_Indian_flights_from_July_one/articleshow/2146238.cms

Sri_Bom

Nimish · Posted: Mon Jun 25, 2007 11:54 am Post subject:

Wow - lots of Sabre-rattling by Kuwait. But seems a bit like "cutting off your nose to spite your face".

At this moment I think it gets even more urgent for the GoI to just truly open up the skies and apply similar rules to intl airlines flying to India and Indian carriers flying abroad. So if it's (say) 3 years with fleet of 20 a/c, then apply the same both ways.

Ideally of course, just allow airlines to operate without any such restrictions, maybe just something like 3-5 a/c are enough fleet size to start ops (witness MJ from Srilanka - http://www.mihinlanka.com/).

BigTom · Member Joined: 21 Mar 2007 Posts: 271 Location: Dubai, UAE

Hope they settle this soon, from what I heard AI/IC in Kuwait still haven't reacted to the possible ban on their Kuwait flights, and this is the beginning of the summer holiday rush out of the Gulf into India, when people tend to book their family trips atleast two months in advance. Most flights to India are chock-a-block for the entire second half of June and July from any point in the Gulf. If alternative arrangements aren't made with other airlines, a lot of Indians wanting to travel home will be left high and dry.

Cheers

BigTom · Member Joined: 21 Mar 2007 Posts: 271 Location: Dubai, UAE

You've got a point Nimish, opening up the India-Gulf sector to all comers will not only prevent situations like this, but also provide a much better level of service to regular fliers on this route, who have to put up with AI/IC's shabby offering and the condescending attitudes of EK/EY/QR and GF. If 9W, IT and the like can get into this market I doubt the Gulf carriers will have things all their own way for much longer.
About Mihin Lanka so far I've heard only good reports from people who have flown it, might try them on my next short dash to Sri Lanka.

Cheers

HAWK21M · Posted: Mon Jun 25, 2007 3:25 pm Post subject:

http://airlinersindia.s4.bizhat.com/viewtopic.php?t=1749&highlight=
Folks....Theres already a thread on this topic.Pls post there.
Thanks.
regds
MEL
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Think of the Brighter side !!!