The Gulf Time Newspaper One of the finest business newspapers in the UAE brought to you by our professional writers and editors.
Bloomberg
The US government restricted charter flights from India, accusing that nation of “unfair and discriminatory practices†by violating a treaty governing aviation between the two countries.
Air India Ltd has been making flights to repatriate its
citizens during the travel disruptions caused by the Covid-19 outbreak, but also has been selling tickets to the public, the Transportation Department alleged.
At the same time, US airlines have been prohibited from flying to India by aviation regulators there, the DOT said in its order. The situation “creates a competitive disadvantage for US carriers,†the agency said in a press release.
Air India is advertising a schedule that is more than half of pre-virus operations, the department said. “The charters go beyond true repatriations, and it appears that
Air India may be using repatriation charters as a way of
circumventing†that nation’s flight restrictions, the US agency said.
The order becomes effective in 30 days, the department said. Indian airlines must apply to the DOT for authorisation before conducting charter flights so that it can scrutinise them more closely, it said. The department will reconsider the restrictions once India lifts restrictions on US carriers.