TMC MP asks PM to suspend talks on flying rights with Abu Dhabi

Trinamool Congress MP Dinesh Trivedi has written to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh seeking a suspension of talks aimed at increasing bilateral flying rights

Trinamool Congress MP Dinesh Trivedi has written to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh seeking a suspension of talks aimed at increasing bilateral flying rights between India and Abu Dhabi. Discussions on the issue between the two sides are scheduled for next week.

At a meeting of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Tourism,Transport and Culture headed by Sitaram Yechury on Thursday,some MPs are reported to have voiced their concerns over Abu Dhabi getting more access to India through its proposed equity participation with Jet Airways.

Significantly,Trivedi as railway minister had vigorously pushed for reforms that included partnerships with the private sector and making the sector vibrant.

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“I have no issues if Air India is closed down,but as long as as it is state-owned carrier,I need some good reason for this (granting Jet the additional seats). I’m not convinced about the reasons for this. I don’t want to see more money being pumped into AI if there is no survivial plans,” Trivedi said.

Trivedi expressed surprise at the special status accorded to the UAE by India,since India has exchanged access and capacity with each emirate of the UAE separately.

If the government is however constrained to hold the planned civil aviation consultations with Abu Dhabi,we should offer them only a token increase in capacity entitlements, Trivedi stated in his letter. Jet sources confirmed that it is going ahead with its proposed deal with Etihad,but they had no comment on the issue raised by Trivedi and other MPs.

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