This government has also put a hold on any increase in foreign flying quota for several countries and also discussing ways to reduce the existing quota, which may be very difficult.

The government under the current bubble arrangement with several countries have also put a ban on airlines carrying sixth freedom passengers (a passenger flying to London from New Delhi via Dubai or any other hub).
On return of international flights, Scindia said that they are in discussions with several ministries and a decision will be taken once the environment is safe.

�Let me commit to you that we are evaluating it (resuming international flights)� but let�s not forget about the impact of COVID� we want to go back to normalcy but in a safe environment,� he said.

�All I can say is that it is in the hands of the Indian government. Since 2015, we have been requesting for more points, more frequencies and more seats,�
�I do not think anyone could be more persuasive than we have been in the value of doing that,� he added.

India has, for the last few years, been trying to rework its bilateral air services agreements with the UAE, unifying all the rights under one umbrella.
That would curtail the number of flights allowed to each airline. The middle eastern carriers have been up in arms against it. There has been no final decision on it yet.

When asked if he has seen any change in the Indian government�s attitude off late, on this issue, he replied, �Not really.�

According to him, all the Middle East carriers have been asking for additional seats for the last several years but "we have not been giving any additional seats to any Middle East carriers".
When asked whether the stance remains, Bansal said, "as of now, yes".

"Some countries have asked us (about bilateral rights). In the coming days, we will have meetings with them," the minister said. "But our priority will be to develop our aviation hubs. The guiding principle will be to increase scope of business for Indian carriers."

"All 171 weekly frequencies we operate to India are flying above 95% seat factor," said Kazim. "We're spilling traffic. The demand far exceeds the supply."
Despite India's importance to Emirates' global network, Kazim said the market's relative standing has slipped. "India used to be among the top five markets. Now it's in the top 10," he said.