The Hindu Business Line : Indian airlines allowed to fly to UK and beyond

This could well be the catch line for airlines from India as they prepare to start more direct flights to the UK. The successful conclusion of the latest round of air services talks between the two nations not only doubles the number of direct flights between them in a phased manner, but also allows the designated airlines to operate to onward destinations from the UK.

The two countries are to increase the number of direct flights in each direction from 19 currently to 40 each week.

Official sources said that earlier, the British side had some reservations on allowing flights to continue onwards from Britain, and any such proposal was decided on a case-to-case basis. However, the issue has now been settled and all Indian flights to the UK will enjoy rights to fly beyond to onward international destinations.

Similarly, an airline from the UK will be allowed to operate to India and onwards to another destination.

There is more good news. The air services agreement between India and the UK already has a multiple designation clause, which means that more than one airline is allowed to operate on the routes between the two countries. It is now up to the two Governments to decide how may airlines would be designated as the official carriers.

Currently, only three airlines - British Airways, Virgin Atlantic Airways and Air India - operate direct flights between the two countries.

Apart from the State-owned Air India, the private sector airlines from India, Jet Airways and Air Sahara, have shown interest in operating to London.

Currently, the Indian Government allows private sector airlines to operate between India and the six SAARC countries, including Nepal, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.