Civil Aviation Ministry has asked Indian carriers to submit their international flight plans till 2014 by this month end. The data have been sought to assess the capability of Indian carriers to operate international flights, in terms of their fleet, crew and bilateral rights used. The global operation plans of the Indian carriers will be discussed at a meeting early next month. The ministry's move comes in the wake of aggressive expansion carried out so far by foreign carriers, especially those from West Asia.

At present, foreign airlines weekly operate 1,356 flights to India as against just over 800 by Indian carriers. Indian carriers permitted to operate international flights are Air India, Jet, IndiGo, SpiceJet and Kingfisher.

Indian carriers have been complaining that the lack of bilateral air traffic rights was resulting in their foreign counterparts flying more passengers out of and in to India. A consultation paper of the Civil Aviation Ministry has also recommended that the foreign carriers' request for further opening up access has to be limited until a point has reached where the Indian carriers have fully utilised the under-served bilateral agreements.