India and Brazil sign Air Services Agreement

The new ASA has the potential to spur greater trade investment, tourism and strengthening the cultural exchange between the two countries besides bringing it in tune with the developments in the international civil aviation scenario.

The Agreement is based on the liberal ICAO template and paves the way for increased air connectivity between both countries. It supersedes the Agreement signed between the two countries on 12th September, 2006 in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil.

As per the new Air Services Agreement:

 Both the countries shall be entitled to designate any number of airlines

 The designated airlines of each side are entitled to operate any point in each other's territory, via any intermediate point and beyond to any point.

 The designated airlines of each side are entitled to operate 21 services/week in each direction with any type of aircraft not exceeding the capacity of B-747 aircraft.

 At present, designated airlines of neither side is operating.

 There is open sky for all cargo operations exists between the two sides.

 Both the countries will follow the obligations, in accordance with their rights and obligations under International law, to protect the security of civil aviation against acts of unlawful interference. Upon request, both countries shall provide each other with all necessary assistance to prevent acts of unlawful seizure of aircraft and other unlawful acts against the safety of such aircraft, their passenger and crew.

 The designated airlines of either country shall have the right to establish offices in the territory of the other country for the promotion and sale of air services.

• Either country, on the basis of reciprocity, shall exempt a designated airline of the other country, to the fullest extent possible under its national law from customs duties, excise taxes, inspection fees and other national duties and charges on specific items (aircraft, fuel, lubricating oil, spare parts of aircraft/engine etc.) introduced into the territory of the other country, retained or taken on board by the designated airline of one Party and which are intended for use in operating the agreed services.

• The capacity to be provided and the frequency of services to be operated by the designated airline(s) of each Party shall be agreed between both Parties.

• Neither Party shall impose or permit to impose on the designated airline of the other Party user charges higher than those imposed on all airlines operating and its own airlines operating similar international services.

• The designated airline will be free to decide tariffs in respect of the agreed services at reasonable levels based on the commercial considerations. The designated airlines of both parties shall not be required to agree on the fares to be applied.

• The designated airlines of each Party may enter into co-operative marketing arrangements, such as code share, block space or any other joint venture agreement, with -

• the designated airline(s) of the same Party.

• the designated airline (s) of the other Party.

• the designated airline(s) of a third country.