Cabinet clears signing of air services pact with Georgia

The Cabinet today approved signing of air services agreement (ASA) with Georgia, which will help in establishing air connectivity between the two countries.
ASA is the basic legal framework for any air operation between two countries.
The agreement will help establish air connectivity between the two nations and has the potential to spur greater trade, investment, tourism and cultural exchange, an official release said.
The Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, cleared the signing of the ASA between India and Georgia.
Under the ASA, both countries can designate one or more airlines and they will have the right to establish offices in the territory of each other for promotion and sale of air services.

"Now, the Indian carriers can operate to any points in Georgia from any points in India whereas carriers of Georgia can establish direct operation to six points, namely New Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai and Goa," the release said.

"Apart from this, through routing flexibility, any intermediate and beyond point can also be served by the designated carriers of both sides."
Furthermore, the designated airlines from the two countries can enter into cooperative marketing arrangements with the designated carriers of same party or third party.
"In view of this, it will not only facilitate the direct connectivity, but connectivity through 3rd country carriers. It will provide viable options for the carriers of both countries," the release noted.

The pact will provide an enabling environment for enhanced and seamless connectivity, it added.
The agreement is based on the latest International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) template.