Open skies policy
Also called: Open skies · Topic: Infrastructure: Transport, Communications and Energy · NCERT: Beyond NCERT
Meaning
An open skies policy lets airlines of partner countries run unlimited flights and seats between those countries. It removes the usual limits that governments set on flights. India's National Civil Aviation Policy 2016 offers open skies only on a reciprocal basis, meaning the other country must give India the same rights. It offers this to SAARC countries and to countries more than 5,000 km from Delhi.
Example
A country more than 5,000 km from Delhi that gives Indian airlines unlimited access can get the same access for its own airlines in India. A nearer country outside SAARC does not qualify.
Don't confuse with
- UDAN: UDAN is a domestic scheme for regional flights to under-served airports, with viability funding and capped fares. Open skies deals with flights between countries.