Washington: In a statement by the Department of Transportation (DoT), the United States of America has restrained Indian charter flights from landing in their country. It said that India has allegedly engaged in “discriminatory and restrictive practices.”
The third world country has accused New Delhi for carrying out restricted practices which aren’t allowed by the US government.
The DoT, in its official statement on Monday, spoke about the necessities required for an Indian flight to land in US. It said that any foreign airplane carrier belonging to India “will be required, effective 30 days after the service date of this Order, to obtain prior approval from the Department in the form of a statement of authorization before operating any Third and/or Fourth Freedom charter flights to or from the US”.
The department further explained that this big step is being taken as there has been violations of the operating rules and regulations put forth by the US.
“We are taking this action because the government of India has impaired the operating rights of US carriers and has engaged in discriminatory and restrictive practices with respect to US carrier services to and from India,” it added.
Presently, due to the coronavirus pandemic, Air India is the single functioning foreign air carrier of India which holds the Department authority to conduct operations to/from the US with its own aircraft and crew.
The DoT of US also said that “this restrictive and discriminatory treatment of US carriers as regards charters has important implications in the area of scheduled operations as well”.
According to the statement, the DoT further accused the government of India to have “imposed restrictions that prevent US air carriers from making full use of these charter rights.”
Nevertheless, Washington has “not placed any limitations on US–India charter operations, and Air India has been and remains free to conduct the full complement of passenger charter services”.
The Indian government had ceased the working of all scheduled and future passenger service air flights on March 25th. This decision was taken in view of the global pandemic affecting millions around the world.
US’s statement and the accusations have come after the DoT restricted flights of China from flying and entering into the American territory.
As the coronavirus’s grip on the world gets stronger, the global politics is seeing a face of its own. While thousands of people dying each day, policies and tactics are being used to save one’s nation while some are also using this sensitive time to maximize their supremacy in the world and wage disputes.
