India’s DGCA defines foreign carrier regulations

India's Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) reportedly announced that in the event of an aircraft being grounded due to an emergency or a technical fault, a foreign carrier cannot replace the affected aircraft with one of a larger capacity (PTI, 28-Jan-2011). The maximum number of passengers a carrier is allowed to board is detailed under the bilateral air services agreement between the governments of India and other countries. Although no carrier has violated the bilateral agreement, the DGCA stated the need for such a circular arose after queries raised by some carriers.