In a move to open up the sky in South Asia, India on Saturday unilaterally offered all SAARC nations the facility of mounting daily air services to six metros and an unlimited number to 18 other major destinations on a reciprocal basis.
It also announced the offer of granting Fifth Freedom Rights to all designated carriers of SAARC nations, under which these airlines could pick up passengers from Indian cities and fly off to third countries.
Announcing this at the 13th SAARC Summit, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said New Delhi was "prepared to offer to all SAARC neighbours, on a reciprocal basis and without prejudice to existing rights, the facility of daily air services by designated airlines to out metropolitan cities ... and as many services as they wish to eighteen other destinations all across India".
The metro cities offered were Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Bangalore and Hyderabad.
"I would also like to offer to the designated airlines of SAARC countries the facility to exercise Fifth Freedom rights, both intermediate and beyond, within the SAARC region, on a reciprocal basis.
"We should encourage more air services and for this it may be worthwhile to provide, in our air agreements, multiple designation of airlines," the Prime Minister said.
{{/usCountry}}"We should encourage more air services and for this it may be worthwhile to provide, in our air agreements, multiple designation of airlines," the Prime Minister said.
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