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Time of India
a day ago
- Business
- Time of India
PM Modi bats for open skies, global air connectivity at IATA AGM
India consistently supports open skies and global connectivity, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said during his address at the International Air Transport Association 's (IATA) 81st Annual General Meeting (AGM). Modi, in his address Monday said, India endorses the principles of the Chicago Convention, advocating for a more connected and accessible aviation network. He urged stakeholders to work together in creating a future where air travel is accessible, affordable, and secure for all. This comes even as Emirates President Tim Clark on Sunday voiced strong concerns over India's restrictions on foreign airline access, warning that such policies could have long-term negative effects on the country's economy at the global aviation summit in Delhi. He likened the move to 'shooting yourself in the foot,' emphasizing that air connectivity plays a critical role in driving economic growth. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Mulher é obrigada a parar de dormir com sua píton depois que um veterinário revela a verdadeira situação Conselhos e Truques Undo Clark's remarks came against the backdrop of a long-running disagreement over bilateral flying rights between India and the UAE. As per a 2014 agreement, airlines from both countries are allowed to operate up to 66,504 seats per week in each direction. Emirates, which currently runs 334 weekly flights between Dubai and India, has already hit that cap. Indigo CEO Pieter Elbers though has rejected Clark's contention. Live Events On another front, Modi drew attention to the recently passed Protection of Interest in Aircraft Objects Bill, which gives legal effect to the Cape Town Convention in India. He noted that this move paves the way for new opportunities for global aircraft leasing firms to operate in the Indian market. 'The new Indian Aircraft Act aligns aviation laws with global best practices, ensuring a streamlined regulatory framework, ease of compliance, and a simplified tax structure which presents a significant investment opportunity for major international aviation companies,' said Modi. He added that the aviation sector's expansion brings with it a wave of new opportunities—more flights, more jobs, and broader prospects for pilots, crew, engineers, and ground personnel. The Prime Minister also spotlighted Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) as a fast-growing 'sunrise' industry, with India ramping up efforts to become a global center for aircraft maintenance. Modi further laid out India's ambition to build a $4 billion MRO hub by 2030, positioning it as a key pillar of the country's aviation growth plan. The Prime Minister also said India should be seen not just as a big aviation market but as a key player in the global aviation value chain—from design to final delivery. He said the country is moving in the right direction and progressing quickly. Modi urged aviation companies to focus not only on 'Make in India' but also on 'Design in India', highlighting India's growing role in aviation innovation.
Time of India
25-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Time for ICAO to reclaim PoK airspace and hand it over to India
Capt. Amit Singh is an aviation professional with over 35 years of experience in commercial airlines, including pivotal roles in three startup airlines, where he developed systems for efficient, low-cost, and profitable operations. A leader in flight operations, safety, and pilot training, he channels his expertise into writing insightful articles on aviation, history, and strategic thinking. Capt. Singh is a sought-after speaker at international safety and training conferences, blending technical knowledge with a passion for storytelling and analysis. Additionally, he explores his creative side through painting, reflecting a well-rounded personality committed to growth and innovation. LESS ... MORE Introduction: Fir vs sovereignty in the skies The skies above Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) are a silent witness to a diplomatic and operational anomaly. While the region is legally part of India, Pakistan controls its airspace under the Lahore FIR, approved by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). This arrangement contradicts international law and undermines India's sovereign rights as per Article 1 of the Chicago Convention. This blog explores why ICAO must reassign Flight Information Region (FIR) control over PoK to India, aligning global airspace governance with international legal principles and geopolitical realities. Understanding ICAO FIR and airspace sovereignty An FIR (Flight Information Region) is an airspace zone within which a state is responsible for air traffic services. ICAO allocates FIRs for operational convenience, but FIR allocation does not define sovereignty. However, in practice, FIR control often: Imparts legitimacy to the controlling authority. to the controlling authority. Enables control over overflight permissions . . Affects international aviation policy and airline routing. India's sovereignty over Jammu & Kashmir, including PoK, is recognised through the Instrument of Accession (1947). The UN Security Council has consistently referred to the region as disputed, without recognising Pakistan's sovereignty over any part of it. Current anomaly: Pakistan controls FIR over Indian territory Despite India's legal claim, ICAO continues to allow Pakistan to: Control air traffic over PoK via the Lahore FIR . via the . Deny overflights to Indian aircraft across its own territory. to Indian aircraft across its own territory. Use FIR control as a tool of geopolitical leverage (e.g., post-Balakot 2019 airspace closures). This setup is a symbolic undermining of sovereignty and a practical aviation and safety risk. Why ICAO must reorganise the FIR over PoK 1. Legal Sovereignty vs FIR Control Article 1 of the Chicago Convention states: 'Every state has complete and exclusive sovereignty over the airspace above its territory.' India's legal claim is grounded in international law . . FIR control should not contradict recognised territorial boundaries . . Pakistan's FIR over PoK violates the spirit of ICAO's neutrality. 2. Safety and operational risk in conflict zones Kashmir is a known conflict zone ; both countries maintain active military deployments. ; both countries maintain active military deployments. Pakistan has continuously unilaterally closed its airspace , affecting global air traffic. , affecting global air traffic. Civil-military coordination in Pakistani-administered areas lacks transparency, increasing the risk to international aviation. 3. Misuse of airspace control Pakistan often denies India overflight rights over PoK airspace. As per ICAO, closure of the airspace should not be selective. over PoK airspace. As per ICAO, closure of the airspace should not be selective. Airlines are forced to reroute, increasing fuel burn, emissions, and cost . . This violates the principles of peaceful overflight under Article 5 of the Chicago Convention. Global examples: FIRs managed across borders ICAO allows FIRs to extend beyond borders only under mutual agreement or when the neighbouring country lacks capacity. These examples reinforce that cross-border FIRs must be consensual and temporary. a. Singapore FIR over southern Malaysia Singapore manages Malaysian airspace near Johor. Based on technical capabilities and Malaysian consent . . Malaysia has raised sovereignty concerns, triggering renegotiation. b. Bahrain FIR Over Qatar and Saudi Arabia Bahrain controls parts of Qatari and eastern Saudi airspace . . Qatar filed a case with ICAO, demanding FIR realignment. ICAO approved the creation of a Doha FIR, confirming that change is possible. c. Senegal-Gambia Senegal manages Gambian airspace through a formal ICAO agreement . . Gambia consented due to infrastructure limitations. d. Serbia-Kosovo FIR managed via EUROCONTROL Despite Kosovo's partial recognition, the FIR was reassigned based on safety needs, not sovereignty status. In contrast, India neither lacks capability nor has given Pakistan consent to manage the airspace over PoK. India's rightful claim and ICAO's responsibility India is a founding ICAO member and has one of Asia's most advanced air traffic systems. Pakistan has no operational reason to control the airspace over Indian land. FIR realignment is: Legally justified Technically feasible Consistent with ICAO precedents ICAO must act on its responsibility to maintain neutrality, legal alignment, and operational safety. Conclusion: Restoring balance in international airspace governance The FIR over Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir represents an outdated, unjust, and unsafe arrangement. It fails the test of international law, undermines India's sovereignty, and exposes civil aviation to geopolitical risk. ICAO must correct this imbalance. It must initiate a structured transition plan to reassign FIR responsibility to India for the airspace above its legally recognised territory. This move will: Align global airspace with UN-recognised borders . . Enhance regional aviation safety . . Uphold the principle of sovereignty for all member states equally. Facebook Twitter Linkedin Email Disclaimer Views expressed above are the author's own.
Extra.ie
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Extra.ie
American deportee plane 'was permitted to land in Shannon'
An American flight carrying deportees from the US to Africa was legally allowed to land at Shannon, the Department of Transport has said. The New York Times reported that a plane carrying eight deportees, in violation of a court order by a federal judge in Boston, stopped at the airport in Co. Clare this week. The judge had barred the US administration from deporting people to countries that were not their own without giving them enough time to object. Shannon Airport. Pic: Shutterupeire/Shutterstock The article said that the flight landed at Shannon at around 9.39pm US time on Tuesday and departed at about 11.47pm before going on to Djibouti. 'I'm trying to establish the facts on this now in real time, because I'm aware of the US media reports,' Tánaiste Simon Harris told RTÉ Radio. 'We've been very active, from an Irish embassy point of view, in providing consular support to citizens who have been caught up in these stronger, for want of a diplomatic phrase, enforcement policies around migration.' He added: 'I have no reason to believe the procedures in place for the use of Irish airports by foreign aircraft has been breached by the United States, but I am seeking more information from my department this morning on this matter.' Tánaiste Simon Harris. Pic: Leah Farrell/ Asked if Ireland was complicit in illegal US deportations, he said: 'I want to get legal clarity in relation to this before speaking with great certainty, because of the seriousness of the matter. 'But I think complying with US law is obviously a matter for the US administration. Complying with our own laws is obviously a matter for the Irish State and the Irish Government. So let me try and establish more in relation to this, as my department is.' He continued: 'There are very clear rules in relation to flights that can and can't stop over in Shannon and what they must do and not do, and we need to see whether this was in compliance with that. 'This is a story that's only emerged in US media, so I'm trying to get on top of it now.' Shannon Airport. Pic: Shutterupeire/Shutterstock A spokesman for the Department of Transport confirmed that the flight was allowed to land in Shannon Airport. He said: 'The Convention on International Civil Aviation (the Chicago Convention), and its associated annexes, established the framework for the operation of international civil aviation. Both Ireland and the United States are contracting parties to this convention.' 'Article 5 of this convention provides for the right of air operators of contracting parties to operate non-scheduled overflights and stops for non-traffic purposes (e.g. refuelling) in the territory of the other contracting parties. 'This provision is provided for in Irish law in Article 3 of the Air Services Authorisation Order 1993.' Mr Harris has said he does not believe weapons are being flown through Irish airspace to Israel, but added that more international co-operation was needed to find out what is being flown above Ireland.
Irish Examiner
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Irish Examiner
Deportation flights from US do not need State clearance to stop in Shannon Airport, department says
US flights carrying deportees and stopping over in Ireland do not need to be cleared with the Government, the Department of Foreign Affairs has said. Flight tracking data shows that a Gulfstream jet owned by a US company, which has in the past carried out deportation flights, stopped in Shannon on Wednesday morning en route to Djibouti. The US Department of Homeland Security confirmed the aircraft was transporting eight men, which it described as 'violent criminals', to the African country in contravention of a court order blocking the deportations. However, the Department of Foreign Affairs said that, because the plane was a civil flight, there was no need for the US government to alert Irish authorities. It said: 'The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is aware of reports that a US flight on May 21 landed in Shannon en route to Djibouti. This was a civil aircraft and, as such, no diplomatic clearance would have been sought or would have been required. The regulation of civil aircraft and flights is a matter for the Department of Transport.' Civil aviation In a statement, the Department of Transport said that world civil aviation was governed by the Convention on International Civil Aviation (the Chicago Convention), to which both Ireland and the US are signatories. 'Article 5 of this convention provides for the right of air operators of contracting parties to operate non-scheduled overflights and stops for non-traffic purposes [e.g. refuelling] in the territory of the other contracting parties,' the department said. Trina Realmuto, the executive director of the National Immigration Litigation Alliance which represents the men, told the Irish Examiner that she was not aware of other flights which had come through Ireland, nor has she been in contact with the men. On Wednesday, Tricia McLaughlin, the assistant secretary for public affairs at the US Department of Homeland Security, said the flight contained criminals who had committed serious crimes and criticised US federal Judge Brian Murphy for trying to 'bring them back' to America. It is understood that the deportees were from Vietnam, Cuba, Myanmar, Laos, and Mexico. The US Department of Homeland Security did not respond to queries about whether it had flagged the flights or sought any assurances of its legality. The issue was raised in the Dáil yesterday, with Tánaiste Simon Harris being accused of 'disinterest' in the use of Shannon Airport. Mr Harris told Labour's Ivana Bacik that 'this was a civil aircraft and, as such, no diplomatic clearance would have been sought or would have been required'. Ms Bacik said: 'It is unconscionable that an Irish airport could be used as an instrument to violate human rights. To date, the Government has shown an astounding lack of curiosity on the matter." Read More Trump administration bars Harvard from enrolling foreign students
Canada Standard
18-05-2025
- Politics
- Canada Standard
Statement by Global Affairs Canada on decision of International Civil Aviation Organization Council to hold Russia responsible for downing of Flight MH17
May 14, 2025 - Ottawa, Ontario - Global Affairs Canada Global Affairs Canada today issued the following statement: "Canada welcomes the recent decision of the UN's International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Council on the downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 on July 17, 2014. "The council has found that Russia is responsible for the downing of the aircraft and that Russia breached the obligation not to use weapons against a civil aircraft in flight under Article 3 bis of the Convention on International Civil Aviation, commonly known as the Chicago Convention. In the coming weeks, the council will consider what form of reparation is in order. "This historic decision-the first one made by the council on the merits of a legal dispute in the ICAO's history of almost 80 years-follows proceedings initiated in 2022 by Australia and the Netherlands against Russia in response to the tragedy of Flight MH17 being shot down over eastern Ukraine, killing all 298 people on board, including one Canadian. "We commend the council for fulfilling its responsibility to uphold the rule of law in civil aviation and for reaffirming that violations of it will not go unanswered. "Our thoughts remain with the families and loved ones of all those who lost their lives aboard Flight MH17. Canada continues to support efforts to ensure that justice is served and to reinforce international mechanisms that protect civilian lives."
