Washington, March 7: The United States has granted Air India an amended foreign air carrier permit. This allows Air India to operate passenger flights, cargo flights, and charter flights between India and the United States. The final order was issued by the U.S. Department of Transportation after completing a review this week. No objections were raised by any party within the stipulated time frame.
Officials reported that the department had previously given interested parties a 21-day window to file any objections to the proposed decision. However, no objections were received during this period, leading to the issuance of the extended flight permit to Air India, along with revised operational conditions.
This permit enables Air India to conduct scheduled international transport of passengers, cargo, and mail linked to the United States. According to the permit, Air India can start flights from any location in India, making stops at various points before reaching the U.S. and beyond. Additionally, Air India is also authorized to operate regular cargo flights between the U.S. and other international destinations.
The permit stipulates that Air India can operate charter flights between India and the United States. These charter flights can carry passengers, cargo, and mail. Furthermore, charter flights can also be conducted between the U.S. and a third country, provided they are part of a continuous flight service connected to India. This amended permit has been effective since March 2, 2026.
Under U.S. 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 takes effect. Air India is required to comply with U.S. aviation regulations and safety requirements, including those enforced 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 amended permit and exemptions in October 2025. The department stated that the application sought to include operational rights already granted under the U.S.-India air transport agreement.
Officials concluded that Air India has demonstrated financial and operational capability for the proposed services, and the authority aligns with public interest.
It is noteworthy that there exists an aviation framework between the U.S. and India, allowing airlines from both countries to operate flights between their markets. Due to trade relations, tourism, and a significant Indian diaspora in the U.S., air travel between the two nations has seen a consistent increase in recent years.
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