India prioritises domestic aviation growth over expanding Gulf carrier rights amid global connectivity debate
India is firmly resisting demands from Gulf airlines such as Emirates, Etihad, and Qatar Airways to expand bilateral air service agreements, triggering a clash between international connectivity concerns and India’s long-term aviation strategy, reported businesstoday.in.
At the heart of the issue lies India’s ambition to build its own international aviation hubs. Government officials and domestic carriers like Air India and IndiGo believe that allowing Gulf carriers to expand right now would undermine Indian airlines’ ability to compete and grow internationally.
Gulf airlines, on the other hand, claim that limited access is leading to underutilised demand, hurting not just passenger convenience but also India’s broader economic potential.
Gulf carriers argue India is hurting its own economy and global connectivity, but New Delhi insists it’s protecting national aviation interests.
India is in the midst of a massive aviation ramp-up, with more than 1,000 new aircraft on order, and domestic airlines are investing heavily in wide-body jets to expand long-haul operations. Aviation authorities say granting more traffic rights to foreign carriers before Indian airlines are ready would permanently skew the market.
India’s stance is shaped not just by economics, but by national interest and timing, officials argue. The government aims to position Indian cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru as global transit hubs, rather than merely serving as feeders to Middle East mega-hubs like Dubai or Doha.
While Gulf carriers continue to lobby for increased access, the Indian government shows no sign of backing down — not until domestic players are better equipped to compete on a level playing field.
