New Delhi, Aug 24

The Union Cabinet on Wednesday gave its nod for the signing of a new Air Services Agreement (ASA) between India and Fiji.

The agreement is for updation of the existing agreement between the two countries, which was signed in 1974.

\"The updation is as per latest ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organisation) template keeping in view the latest developments in civil aviation sector and with an objective to improve the air connectivity between the two countries,\" a statement said.

A draft text of the agreement has been finalised in consultation with several key ministries. According to the agreement, both countries shall be entitled to designate one or more airline which will have right to open offices.

The proposed agreement allows airlines to take decision freely on tariffs in respect of the agreed services at reasonable levels based on commercial considerations. They have to operate the agreed services on specified routes. \"The routes and frequencies shall be decided subsequently,\" the statement said.

Now Indian carriers can operate to any point in Fiji from points in India whereas the Fijian carriers can establish direct operations to Delhi, Mumbai and Chennai in India and by code share with Indian carriers to Bengaluru, Kolkata and Hyderabad apart from points given for direct operation.

Besides, Kochi, Varanasi, Ahmedabad and Amritsar may be served through domestic code share operations.

Cabinet approves signing of India-Fiji air services agreement