India, Kuwait sign aviation deal

Dubai: India and Kuwait have come to an agreement on resolving a dispute on air traffic rights, over which the latter had threatened to stop Indian national carriers flying there from 1 July.

The two countries signed the MoU just before the expiry of the deadline in Kuwait city after marathon negotiations lasting three days, Indian ambassador to Kuwait M Ganapthi said.

Ganapthi said flight services between the two countries will continue freely and unhindered, much to the benefit of the thousands of passengers who feared disruptions in services between the two countries.

The points in agreement between the two countries include additional 4,000 seat taking the total to 12,000 seats in each directions, but the fifth freedom destinations will apply to the earlier 8,000 seats.

India has agreed to allow Kuwait carriers to operate flights to Hyderabad, Kolkata both with immediate effect and Bangalore from the winter 2008 schedule.

The spat began when Kuwait decided to stop Indian carriers from flying into the country from 1 July.

The A350 XWB will offer the lowest operating costs and lowest seat mile costs of any aircraft in that category, it said and added that the aircraft would be be one of the most fuel-efficient aircraft ever.