Higher seat quota for Gulf carriers on cards even as old deals under scanner

After agreeing to expand flying rights with Saudia Arabia, the Civil Aviation Ministry would hold talks with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Wednesday to consider their demand to raise bilateral seat quota for designated carriers of the two sides.

The higher seat quota will allow the airlines from the two sides to operate more flights.

With alleged role of middleman in negotiations for higher seat quota with the Gulf countries during the UPA-II government, the new government had almost put on hold the demand for further raising the seat entitlements.