US has asked Indian air carriers to apply for statements of authorisation prior to conducting charter flights, alleging that the Indian government is engaged in "unfair and discriminatory" practices with respect to air transportation services between India and America. (Representational image) (Shutterstock)The US has asked Indian air carriers to apply for statements of authorisation prior to conducting charter flights, alleging that the Indian government is engaged in "unfair and discriminatory" practices with respect to air transportation services between India and America. The US-India Air Transport Agreement provides the right for US air carriers to provide scheduled and charter air transportation between the two countries. At the same time, Air India is operating what it calls "repatriation" charter flights between India and the United States in both directions since May 7, 2020. This situation calls for close scrutiny, on a case-by-case basis, of Air India passenger charter operations until this issue has been resolved, it said.

Source: The Telegraph June 23, 2020 13:52 UTC