Following Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel’s indication that bilateral air entitlements between India and UK would ‘‘at least be doubled’’, both countries went a step further today — the entitlements increased from 19 to 40. Civil Aviation Secretary Ajay Prasad headed the Indian delegation at the two-day talks which ended late tonight.Besides increasing entitlements, Britain gave six additional slots to A-I, but for only those flights which will terminate at London.Earlier, the Maharaja would use 10 of its 16 entitlements for flights terminating at the US, three for services terminating in Britain and the remaining would be utilised by Virgin Atlantic.India has also added new points of call for UK-based airlines, which can now operate to Bangalore, Hyderabad and Kochi.The increase in the bilateral package will immediately add flexibility to the schedule of Virgin Atlantic and may even see other UK-based airlines enter the fray. As for India, the private domestic carriers will now have a quota for themselves if and when the Government gives them the permission to fly abroad.Constrained by capacity, Heathrow had earlier declined Air India’s requests regarding slots. The UK government too had maintained that it was in no position to influence Heathrow to change its decision which was based on practical difficulties.However, during his visit to London soon after assuming charge, Patel had agreed to let the issue of slots be resolved separately. At present, both sides are entitled to 19 operations each.
