New Delhi. The Government today approved the new Air Services Agreement (ASA) between India and Nepal.

Keeping in view the recent developments in the civil aviation sector, and with a view to modernize and update the existing ASA based on the ICAO template, an agreed text of a new ASA between the two countries was initialled on 9th September, 2009 when air services talks were held between both sides.

Both the countries shall now be entitled to designate any number of airlines for operation of mutually agreed services for which the respective country shall grant appropriate authorization and permission. Both countries have agreed to the following revised capacity entitlements: -

 The designated airlines of each side shall be permitted to exercise beyond fifth freedom traffic rights to/from the three points, other than the points in the SAARC region, specified in the Route I of Section I and Section II of the Route Schedule. However, the designated airlines of both sides may exercise beyond fifth freedom traffic rights to/from points other than the points in the SAARC Region, on not more than seven flights per week in each direction to/from each point.

 

The designated airlines of each Party shall be entitled to operate any number of all-cargo services between each other’s territory with any type of aircraft with full 3rd, 4th and 5th freedom traffic rights. Such all-cargo services may also be operated under co-operative marketing arrangements such as code sharing, blocked space etc.