India Announces Restrictions for Overseas Operators' Cargo Flights

India will restrict unscheduled cargo charter flights by overseas carriers to six of the country’s airports, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council said in a Nov. 3 report. The restriction will apply to “ad hoc and non-scheduled freighter charter service flights” and is aimed at maximizing the “air cargo handling opportunities” for domestic operators, the report said. Overseas operators can apply for special clearance to fly from other airports, but there is “no guarantee” their applications will be accepted. The six airports are Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, Kolkata, Hyderabad and Mumbai. The report said that “many traders freighting perishable/time‑sensitive goods from areas not in easy reach of one of the designated facilities” have complained about the arrangement.