Air India loses preferential access to operate international flights

Tata Group-owned Air India has lost its preferential access to bilateral rights that are needed to operate flights to another country, according to a circular issued by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). Air India had preferential access to bilateral rights, which are granted under air services agreements signed between two countries — as it was a government-owned national carrier.

However, the Tata Group took control of Air India on January 27, after successfully winning the bid for the airline on October 8 last year.

Clause 3.6 of the previous DGCA circular stated, “Due consideration shall be given to the operational plans submitted by Air India Limited before allocation of the traffic rights to the other eligible applicants.”