A meeting held at the UAE Embassy in New Delhi on March 14, 2016, between Divisional Senior Vice President, (Strategic Planning, Revenue Optimization & Aeropolitical Affairs), Emirates, Mr. Adnan  Kazim and Senior Vice  President - Commercial Operations (West Asia and Indian Ocean), Emirates, Mr. Ahmed Khoory with the Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates to India Dr. Ahmed Al Banna.

Emirates Officials discussed the aviation policy of India and expressed their concern in several matters.

The visiting Emirates delegation appraised the Ambassador that the UAE carriers Emirates and flydubai has utilized the full capacity of allotted seats under bilateral Air Service agreement in Dubai-India Sector. They were also keen for a fresh negotiation for the expansion of allotted seats under bilateral agreement. 

It was acknowledged that, Indian carriers have made several requests in regard to Dubai Airport and most of their requests have been resolved. Indian side unutilized seats under bilateral agreement were 13000 per week at the beginning of January 2016, which is 6000 seats now and these remaining are ready to utilize soon.

Emirates officials informed the Ambassador about the study, conducted by the National Council of Applied Economic Research (NCAER), that the Emirates airline’s operations in India added $848 million to the country’s gross domestic product (GDP), supported over 86,000 Indian jobs and generated almost $1.7 billion in foreign exchange earnings in FY 2014-15.

On his part, the UAE Ambassador extended and assured UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Embassy full support to Emirates Airline.

Mr. Ahmad Alfalahi, Commercial Attaché of the UAE to India, and Mr. Essa Sulaiman Ahmad – Vice President - (India & Nepal), Emirates were also present at the meeting.