Few International Flights Allowed in India

New Delhi: In a major development in India’s civil aviation sector, Union Aviation Minister Hardeep Puri has announced that India has established ‘air bubbles’ with the US and France. Negotiations with Germany and the UK are underway. While addressing a press conference the aviation minister said, “Initially the air bubbles are with countries which have made a request. Till international civil aviation can reclaim its pre-Covid numbers, I think the answer will lie through bilateral air bubbles which will carry a possible number of people but under defined conditions.”

This means that from Friday (July 17) international air travel will resume via bilateral air bubbles.

On Friday, American carrier United Airlines will be flying 18 flights between India and the US till July 31. Puri said: “Air France will operate 28 flights to Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru from Paris between July 18 and Aug 1, 2020.’ In the first phase of this arrangement of ‘air bubbles’ international carriers will be allowed to fly into India for 2 weeks. This will get extended only after assessing the demand”.

The aviation minister added said that International air travel is only possible when there are no restrictions in other countries.

An air bubble is a travel corridor between two countries who will fly their aircraft in a regulated environment. This arrangement has been made due to several travel restrictions across the world because of coronavirus pandemic. Explaining the concept of ‘air bubbles’ Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation Pradeep Singh Kharola said, “There are 3 preconditions, there should be demand, India should have permission to bring passengers back and take passengers to a particular country & the carrier should be willing to fly. It is a regulated movement.”

Air travel in India, both domestic and international was suspended when the national lockdown started on March 25 due to coronavirus pandemic. Only domestic air travel began from May 25. This decision to establish air bubbles was taken after a few countries including the US accused Air India of unfair & discriminatory practices last month. US Transportation Department said that Indian Govt has prevented US carriers from operating chartered flights on Indo-US routes even though Air India was doing it via Vande Bharat Mission.

As on July 15, India has brought back 6,87,467 Indians under Vande Bharat Mission which includes 2,15,495 by national carrier Air India. Phase 4 of Vande Bharat Mission is underway with private airlines also participating in this mission to bring back stranded Indians from other parts of the world. So far, 12,258 Indians have been brought back by private airlines in India.

Aviation Minister Hardeep Puri also mentioned, “We have got a request from Germans also, the arrangement with Lufthansa is almost done. We are getting many demands for air bubbles but will allow the amount that we can handle.” Soon similar air bubbles are expected to be established with Germany & UK too. A senior official in the Ministry of Civil Aviation said, “talks on air bubble with the UK is in an advanced stage.”

Source: TNN

Image Courtesy: The Business Journal