Washington, March 7: The United States has granted Air India a revised foreign air carrier permit, allowing the airline to operate passenger flights, cargo flights, and charter services between India and the US. The final order was issued by the US Department of Transportation after completing its review this week, with no objections raised by any party within the stipulated time frame.
Officials stated that interested parties were given a 21-day period to file any objections to the proposed decision, but no objections were received, leading to the extension of the flight permit for Air India. The revised permit comes with operational conditions attached.
This permit allows Air India to conduct scheduled international transport of passengers, cargo, and mail connected to the United States. According to the permit, Air India can commence flights from any location in India, making stops en route to the US and beyond. Additionally, the airline has been granted permission for regular cargo flights between the US and other international destinations.
The permit also states that Air India can operate charter flights between India and the US, which may carry passengers, cargo, and mail. Furthermore, charter flights can be conducted between the US and a third country, provided they are part of a continuous flight service connected to India. This revised permit became effective on March 2, 2026.
Under US law, foreign airline permits issued by the Department of Transportation are subject to review by the President or a designated official. If no objections are filed within the designated period, the order automatically becomes effective. Air India is required to adhere to US aviation regulations and safety requirements, including those imposed by the Federal Aviation Administration and the Transportation Security Administration.
The airline must maintain valid authorization from the Government of India for its services and meet international aviation safety standards. Previous documents indicate that Air India applied for the revised permit and exemptions in October 2025, seeking to include operational rights already granted under the US-India air transport agreement.
Officials concluded that Air India has demonstrated financial and operational qualifications for the proposed services, and the authority is in the public interest.
It is noteworthy that there is an aviation framework between the US and India that allows airlines from both countries to operate flights between the two markets. Due to trade relations, tourism, and a significant Indian diaspora in the US, air travel between the two nations has seen a consistent increase in recent years.
Disclaimer: This news is sourced directly from the agency, and our team has not edited it.
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.
