US Airports Will Now Allow Indian Carriers To Complete Their Own Ground Handling

Simple Flying

By Pranjal Pande

Published Sep 5, 2020

A security personnel walks past the newly acquired aircraft, an Airbus A 321 (L) and the Boeing 777-200 LR "Assam" on the tarmac of the Chattrapati Shivaji Internationational airport in Mumbai, 30 July 2007, on the eve of the Air India?s inaugural non-stop operations in the Mumbai-New York sector. Indian aviation ministry has sought Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's support for acquiring 60 new aircraft for the national carriers, over and above the 111 planes for which the combined Air India-Indian entity has placed orders. The new fleet, which will see long-haul Boeing 777-200 operating non-stop on Mumbai-New York and Delhi-New York sectors, also comprises two freighter aircraft to meet the growing cargo requirements. AFP PHOTO/Indranil MUKHERJEE (Photo credit should read INDRANIL MUKHERJEE/AFP via Getty Images)

The United States Department of Transportation (DoT) has restored the right of Indian carriers to complete their own ground handling. The reversal comes just a year after the ban was put in place, which came in response to India's ban on foreign carriers self-handling at defense airports.

No change in the status quo

The reversal of the ban will make little difference to things on the ground right now. since Air India already uses an external ground handling team for its requirements and is unlikely to switch to self-handling. Only one Indian carrier flies between the US and India for now, but future carriers could take advantage of this permission.

Air India Wuhan Evacuation Flight — There are retired employees of Air India struggling to get their pensions after even 20 years. Photo: Getty Images

In a statement to Zee Business, an Air India official said,

"However, the relaxation will give us an opportunity to self handle at US airports in future if there is ever such a need."

Many airlines outsource ground handling at foreign airports due to lower overall costs and less logistical hurdles. However, Air India could take up self-handling in the future or if it chooses to expand into new US airports.

Fixing relations

The conflict over ground handling started in 2017 when India said foreign cargo and passenger carriers could not self-handle at defense airports or beyond the passenger security check. Several Indian airports are dual-use, which means they have both military and civilian operations. Goa Airport is one such international airport. This effectively meant foreign carriers were unable to conduct ramp activity.

In response, the DoT barred Indian carriers from carrying out their own ground-handling in 2019, citing difficulties faced by American airlines. United, the only remaining US passenger carrier to India, and most cargo airlines have outsourced their ground handling in India.

A330-MD11-Lost-Separation-Hong-Kong-getty

With his new responsibilities, Smith would have to strategically tackle some rising problems. Photo: Getty Images.

However, in early 2020, India amended its rules to allow foreign carriers to self-handle once again. The status of these new rules is currently unclear during this crisis. The US seems to have accepted these changes this week, allowing Indian airlines to resume ground handling at US airports.

Stronger aviation ties

This year has seen some conflicts between aviation leaders in India and the US. In June, the DoT threatened to cut down Air India's US schedule if American carriers were not allowed to fly to India. However, India established air bubbles a few weeks later, bringing back US carriers and ending the standoff.

United Airlines is not yet flying a robust long-haul network with paying customers, but it will be launching new flights to India in December. Photo: Getty Images

For now, the handling permission makes little difference on the ground, but it does signify cooperation between the nations. If Vistara or any US airline opts to start flights to the US in the future, they can now handle their own ground operations and possibly establish a base in the country.

What do you think about the recent changes, and will new airlines fly between the countries soon? Let us know in the comments below!