IndiGo boss defends India's stand on flying rights, says more noise doesn’t mean more rights in skies

As debate intensifies over access to Indian airspace, IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers has come out in strong support of the Indian government’s stance on bilateral flying rights, calling it “fair and balanced.” His remarks come amid increasing pressure from foreign carriers, particularly Gulf airlines, pushing for more flights into India.

Speaking at the International Air Transport Association (IATA) annual general meeting in New Delhi, Elbers addressed calls for expanded access, noting that bilateral air agreements are a two-way street—not a one-sided demand list. “If one side makes more and more noise, it doesn't mean that side is more and more right,” he said, emphasising the importance of mutual benefit in such agreements.

Elbers’ comments come just a day after Emirates President Sir Tim Clark made a public plea for greater access to India, criticising what he called restrictive bilateral policies. He pointed out that Emirates and Flydubai have been capped at 65,000 weekly seats to and from India for over 11 years, despite surging demand. “For every seat we sell, there are probably 10 who want it,” reported PTI, citing Clark.


Under the current agreement, Indian carriers enjoy the same rights—65,000 weekly seats to Dubai—but Elbers pointed out a key imbalance: while foreign airlines have fully utilised their allocations, Indian carriers have historically underutilised theirs.

Elbers argued that India’s position—to first maximise use of existing rights before negotiating new ones—makes sense. “If a government says, ‘Let’s first use what we have, then talk about more,’ that’s a reasonable and balanced approach,” he said.

India is one of the world’s fastest-growing aviation markets, with both IndiGo and Air India rapidly expanding their international operations to tap into rising demand and improve global connectivity.

Adding to the discussion, IATA Director General Willie Walsh said the situation is ultimately about timing. As Indian airlines grow and begin seeking greater international access, reciprocal openness will become more relevant. “You’ll need to see a corresponding change in approach, because Indian carriers will want access to markets globally,” he said.