Accusing India of resorting to unfair and discriminatory practices and violation of the aviation agreement between the two countries, the United States has decided to restrict India’s Vande Bharat Mission from 22 July 2020.
After this decision, now Indian airlines have to apply before the DOT for authorisation before conducting charter flights to America so that they can scrutinise them. They will also reconsider the restrictions once India lifts its restrictions on US flight carriers .
A statement issued by the US Department of Transport (DOT) said that Air India Ltd was not only making flights to repatriate its citizens during the travel disruptions during Covid-19 outbreak but was also selling tickets to the public. And at the same time, US airlines were prohibited from flying to India by Indian aviation regulators. The situation created a competitive disadvantage for US carriers.
“We are taking this action because the government of India has impaired the operating rights of US carriers and has engaged in discriminatory and restrictive practices with respect to US carrier services to and from India,” the order said. It further added that through the order it seeks to restore a level playing field for US airlines under the US-India Air Transport Agreement. The Indian government, citing the coronavirus, has banned all scheduled services and failed to approve US carriers for charter operations.
Meanwhile, Ministry of Civil Aviation has responded to this decision of America and said that it received requests from concerned authorities in several countries including the US, France, Germany among others requesting to participate in repatriation process, in fact had one round of negotiations with US on 15 June 2020 with representatives of US Department of Transportation and US Embassy on this issue. They were invited to submit precise proposals in this respect. A communication has now been received on 19 June 2020 detailing these requests, the ministry informed,
The action against India comes weeks after US put restrictions on Chinese airlines. US agency accused China of unfairly banning American carriers in the wake of the Covid-19. However, on 15 June, it announced that it agreed to allow 4 flights a week from China after the latter did the same.