India and New Zealand have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance cooperation in civil aviation. The agreement will cover aspects such as the establishment of new flight routes, code-share services, traffic rights, and capacity entitlements.
The MoU was signed by Rajiv Bansal, Secretary at the Ministry of Civil Aviation, and David Pine, High Commissioner of New Zealand. The event was attended by Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, India’s Minister for Civil Aviation, and Damien O’Connor, New Zealand’s Minister overseeing Trade and Export Growth, Agriculture, Biosecurity, Land Information, and Rural Communities.
This MoU follows a pivotal Air Services Agreement that was formalized between New Zealand and India in Auckland on May 1, 2016. Subsequently, the governments of both countries conducted a comprehensive evaluation of the existing agreements related to air travel connectivity.
According to the MoU, New Zealand’s designated airlines can operate unrestricted flights using any aircraft type and hold third and fourth freedom traffic rights to/from six Indian cities: New Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, and Kolkata.
Scindia said on the occasion that this MoU has opened up possibilities for furthering air transport between the two countries. He also mentioned that an open sky policy has been put in place and the points of call have been increased.
Indian airlines can operate unlimited flights using any aircraft type and enjoy third and fourth freedom traffic rights to/from Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, and three other points in New Zealand (to be chosen by the Government of India).
Airlines from both parties can operate unlimited all-cargo flights using any aircraft type and enjoy third, fourth, and fifth freedom traffic rights. These rights apply to all points in each other’s territory via any intermediate points and to any beyond points regardless of the Route Schedule.