India and Saudi Arabia sign new bilaternal air service agreement
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Government of India and the Government of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia met at Jeddah on 23 January, 2008 to review the bilateral air services agreement between the two countries. While agreeing on designation of multiple airlines, both sides also decided to enhance the existing traffic entitlement of 8500 seats per week to 20000 seats per week with immediate effect.
The previous round of review had taken place in 2002. For the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Calicut, Lucknow and Bangalore were included as new points of call besides Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kochi and Hyderabad and Madina was included as a new point of call for the Indian carriers in addition to the existing points of Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam. Significantly Saudi Arabia is the first country in Middle East/Gulf to get the facility of flights to Calicut. Similarly, India is the first country to be granted access to operate to Madina on schedule basis.
Both sides have also decided to free up all limitations on the cargo services. There will be no restriction in terms of frequency and point of call for operating all cargo services.
With the successful conclusion of this agreement, airlines of both sides will be able to add new services on the India-Saudi Arabia route, which is presently constrained due to the bilateral capacity/route limitations. This will be in the interest of the traveling people who have to presently travel through third countries and at higher tariffs due to these limitations.
The Indian delegation was led by Shri R.K. Singh, Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Civil Aviation , while the Saudi Arabian delegation was led by Dr.Mohammed R. Beranji, Vice President in the General Authority of Civil Aviation of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. (c) Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation Premium. Date posted: 25-Jan-08.
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India and Saudi Arabia sign new bilaternal air service agreement
