Parliament Question: Flight Service between Thiruvananthapuram and Saudi Arabia

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 1849 ( TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 30th July 2026 ) FLIGHT SERVICE BETWEEN THIRUVANANTHAPURAM AND SAUDI ARABIA

1849. ADV. ADOOR PRAKASH Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION

be pleased to state:-

(a) whether the Government has received any proposal or request from the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA), Kingdom of Saudi Arabia or Saudi Arabian Airlines (SAUDIA) for the designation of Thiruvananthapuram International Airport (TRV) as a Point of Call

(POC) under the existing India-Saudi Arabia Air Services Agreement;

(b) if so, the details and the present status thereof along with the reasons for the delay in granting approval and the expected timeline fixed for its finalisation;

(c) whether granting Thiruvananthapuram as an additional Point of Call would require any amendment to the existing bilateral seat entitlement and if so, the details thereof; and

(d) whether the Government would consider restoration of direct air services by SAUDIA or any eligible Indian carrier between Thiruvananthapuram and Riyadh in view of the difficulties faced by expatriates in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and if so, the details thereof? ANSWER Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION (Shri Murlidhar Mohol)

(a) to (d) The government has received request for the designation of Thiruvananthapuram International Airport (TRV) as a Point of Call (POC) from the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA), Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Presently, the Government of India promotes more international operations from non-metro points, including Thiruvananthapuram, by Indian carriers either directly or through their own domestic operations. Accordingly, non-metro points, are not being granted as new Point of Call in the Air Services Agreements (ASAs) to any foreign carrier including Saudi Carriers.

The international operations of airlines are governed by the bilateral ASA between India and the respective country. In accordance with the ASA, Indian designated carriers are free to mount operations to/from any point in India including Thiruvananthapuram to foreign destinations such as Riyadh as per mutually agreed capacity limits.The Government has provided an enabling environment for the growth of the civil aviation sector but it does not interfere in the operational plans of the airlines. The start of direct international flights from any point in India is purely a commercial decision of scheduled airlines on the basis of passenger demand, availability of slots, economic viability of the route and other associated factors.

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