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US Restriction on Indian Evacuations

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June 24, 2020

Why in news?

The United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) has restricted repatriation flights being operated by Air India.

What does the restriction mean?

  • The restriction does not place any limitations on US-India charter operations.
  • Air India remains free to conduct the full complement of passenger charter services.
  • But, Air India will now need specific authorisation i.e prior approval from the DOT to conduct evacuation services.

Why did they restrict?

  • The USDOT accused that India has impaired the operating rights of the US carriers.
  • It also said that India has engaged in discriminatory and restrictive practices with respect to the US carrier services to and from India.
  • It added that Air India’s repatriation flights involved sales to any member of the general public able to enter the US.
  • An official from the US DOT had advised Air India that some of its evacuation charters have gone beyond true evacuations.
  • However, the Order said that the Indian government has thus far failed to remedy the situation.

What are the freedoms of air as per ICAO?

  • The freedoms of air in civil aviation pertain to a set of rights accorded to a country’s airlines to enter or land in another country’s airspace or airports.
  • According to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), there are nine freedoms of the air.
  • These rights generally operate on a bilaterally reciprocal basis.
  • However, in certain cases, some handicaps are imposed on capacity allowed from one country to another.
  • The US government has called for restrictions on the third and fourth freedoms for India.
  • These freedoms essentially allow basic international service between two countries.

 

Source: The Indian Express

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