Does India allow domestic flights through other countries?
#1
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: DFW
Programs: AA 1M
Posts: 31,437
Does India allow domestic flights through other countries?
Recently I've noticed that when searching for domestic flights some of the flights are routed through other countries. E.g, searching for BOM-COK on kayak shows EK, GF, UL, and KU options going through their hubs.
Has anyone taken such a flight?
Has anyone taken such a flight?
#2
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Watchlisted by the prejudiced, en route to purgatory
Programs: Just Say No to Fleecing and Blacklisting
Posts: 102,103
I do know that in at least some prior years it was not uncommon for Indians to fly from Delhi to Calcutta via Nepal on Indian carriers as it was cheaper -- not an example of a carrier needing to exercise cabotage rights but definitely an example of a domestic carrier's domestic passengers transiting a foreign country.
#4
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 558
I think it is not practically possible with any country other than Nepal where Indian national need just any ID card issued by Govt. For all others, you need a passport... and even if carrier allows it, immigration authorities may have you detained for not having a valid visa.
#5
Moderator: Lufthansa Miles & More, India based airlines, India, External Miles & Points Resources
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: MUC
Programs: LH SEN
Posts: 48,001
The visa issue and limited passport holders automatically work as cabotage
I recall that the Modi Group set up an outfit in Nepal, but for cargo? I suppose the heavy monsoon there will nix any reliable operation.
I recall that the Modi Group set up an outfit in Nepal, but for cargo? I suppose the heavy monsoon there will nix any reliable operation.
#6
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: LONDON
Programs: CX DM, BA G4L, QR PLT, EK PLT, Hyatt CourtesyC, HH DM, SQ PPS, BonvoyTit, UK, VS, UA, DL, AA
Posts: 1,709
you will need a passport and depending on the rules of the country being transited possibly even a Visa depending on your citizenship...
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: India
Programs: Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, IHG Plat, HH Gold, Trident Plat, DL Diamond, AI Maharajah
Posts: 29,598
I think it is not practically possible with any country other than Nepal where Indian national need just any ID card issued by Govt. For all others, you need a passport... and even if carrier allows it, immigration authorities may have you detained for not having a valid visa.
#9
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Watchlisted by the prejudiced, en route to purgatory
Programs: Just Say No to Fleecing and Blacklisting
Posts: 102,103
There are exceptions to that. Air India has previously been granted legal authorization to transport some persons from the US or Europe to India without passports. It's on a case by case basis and there are some routines involved when it has been done.
#10
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: DFW
Programs: AA 1M
Posts: 31,437
For refugees? BTW congrats on 70K.
#11
Join Date: May 2004
Location: US
Programs: UA Lifetime Gold, IHG Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 971
And for those who book domestic flights via other countries (other than Nepal), they certainly know that a passport would be required and most likely would be taking it with them. But with fares in India being quite low, I doubt if any are doing this.
#12
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Watchlisted by the prejudiced, en route to purgatory
Programs: Just Say No to Fleecing and Blacklisting
Posts: 102,103
My intra-India tickets involving LEH/IXJ/SXR tend to be at a higher cost per economy class mile flown than on my intra-US trips of comparable distance.
What do you make of that? Apparently one person from BOM reported that it would be cheaper than a direct BOM-GOI fought during Diwali. If you have a passport and want to save a penny at the expense of time, some will do those kind of things and have.
Not only those. For example, other Indian authorizations have been provided to foreign citizens, including on the direction from PMO. The first time I knew about this in relation to India was for funeral arrangements where certain foreign-citizens were to be assisted in their attendance only to have to be supplied with US or EU passports to depart back.
Not only those. For example, other Indian authorizations have been provided to foreign citizens, including on the direction from PMO. The first time I knew about this in relation to India was for funeral arrangements where certain foreign-citizens were to be assisted in their attendance only to have to be supplied with US or EU passports to depart back.
Last edited by GUWonder; Apr 15, 2014 at 7:58 am