AMN / WEB DESK

India and New Zealand have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to boost cooperation in civil aviation. This will cover the scheduling of new routes, code share services, traffic rights and capacity entitlement.

The MoU was signed by Civil Aviation Secretary, Rajiv Bansal and the New Zealand High Commissioner David Pine in New Delhi. On the occasion, Civil Aviation Minister  Jyotiraditya Scindia and Minister for Trade and Export Growth  Damien O’Connor of New Zealand were also present. 

According to the MoU, the designated airlines of New Zealand may operate any number of services with any type of aircraft, with third and fourth freedom traffic rights to and from six points in India, namely New Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, and Kolkata.  The designated airlines of India may operate any number of services with any type of aircraft with third and fourth freedom traffic rights to and from Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch. Three more points in New Zealand are to be named by the Government of  India.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Scindia said that it is an important day for Civil Aviation air services between India and New Zealand. He said, both the countries have signed an MoU that has opened the possibilities of furthering of air transport between them. He added that the open sky policy has been put in place and the point of calls has been increased.