The hub of the matter: Airport competitiveness to shape air treaties

The subtext here is that the Indian airline industry is looking to expand international connectivity substantially

The recent disagreement between Emirates President Tim Clark and IndiGo Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Pieter Elbers over bilateral air-service agreements reflects the emerging competitive paradigms between West Asia’s state-owned airlines and India’s private sector-driven industry. At the annual general meeting of the International Air Transport Association, Mr Clark, who heads West Asia’s largest airline, had criticised the Indian government for its “restrictive” policies towards bilateral seat agreements with foreign airlines. He had sought increasing seat capacity between India and Dubai from the current 65,000 per week to 140,000. The Indian government has contended that it needs to counter the unfair