The US transportation department slammed the Indian government over what it calls ‘unfair and discriminatory practices’ on charter flights.
Indian carriers will now how to apply for permission for each charter flight so US authorities can ‘scrutinize flights by Indian carriers on a case-by-case basis.’
The US wants to see a ‘level playing field for US airlines.’
The DOT says India has not approved US carriers for any charter operations, the while Air India has been operating numerous ‘repatriation’ flights.
International scheduled flights to and from India are still banned.
The US accuses India of not operating in good faith regarding essential repatriation flights.
It says Air India is operating more than half of its normal pre-pandemic flight schedule to the US, and dressing it up as repatriation charter flights.
"Considering this rate of flying, and that Air India is selling tickets on the market, the charters go beyond true repatriations, and it appears that Air India may be using repatriation charters as a way of circumventing its imposed prohibition of scheduled services," the DOT said.
