RAJU 2 LAST(BES21)

Under the bilaterals, the quota for seats and services Under the bilaterals, the quota for seats and servicesare equal for the airlines of the two countries concerned. With Qatar it is 24,292 seats, Oman 21,147 seats,Sharjah has 17,841 seats, Baharain (11,500), Kuwait (12,000)plus 2 per cent of additional seats each for all. With SaudiArabia it is 20,000 seats plus 2 per cent additional and anopen skies with Dammam, according to official data. While Gulf airlines have been clamouring for more seats,the government has been reluctant to do so as domesticairlines have been big losers compared to their Gulfcounterparts. For Etihad and Emirates, India is their largest market,while for Jet with its tie-up with Etihad the region should bethe largest. Domestic airlines like the national carrier Air India,private players like Jet Airways, Indigo and SpiceJet operateto the Gulf markets now. PTI BEN NSKKISSDM