In an effort to open up more flights, India has struck bilateral air bubble arrangements allowing travel to and from certain countries including Germany, the US, UK, Canada, UAE and France.
The GMR operated #HyderabadInternationalAirport says resumption of direct flights to UK begins again under Air Travel Bubble arrangement between India and UK govts. There will be weekly 4 passenger flights operated by British Airways from Hyderabad a day ago.
Qatar Airways will begin daily Boeing 787-9 commercial repatriation flights to #BLR from 18/08 to 31/08. Part of Travel Bubble between India & Qatar signed recently. Bookings are now open.
Reportedly, the air bubble between India and Canada is now operational with the national carriers of both the nations all geared up to restore travel between the countries.
#BubbleFlights
Referring to the development, the Director General of Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) stated that as per bubble agreement, any Indian holding any kind of valid visa, can now travel to Canada, the United Kingdom, United States, France, Germany and United Arab Emirates.
Canada is the latest addition to the list, as India managed to form air bubbles or similar arrangements with other countries, such as the United Kingdom, United States, Germany and France. India has also set up bi-lateral travel arrangements with seven countries so far along with the Maldives and the United Arab Emirates also brought under these so-called air corridors.
The Lufthansa Group expressed confidence that air travel demand to and from India remains high despite the COVID-19 lockdown disruption, as it welcomed the bilateral air bubble agreement which allowed Germany's largest airline to resume flights from India last week.
Although these air bubbles ensure that people will now be allowed to travel abroad or visit India, they will still need to undergo mandatory tests and quarantine rules set by their destination countries.
There is also good news for those wanting to travel to the UAE, as according to a new rule, Indians with valid UAE visas can travel to the country now. The COVID-19 pandemic had put a pause to air travel for a long time, and Indians were not permitted to travel to the UAE, even with a tourist visa. Now Pavan Kumar, the Ambassador of India to the UAE tweeted saying that both Indians can now fly to the UAE with any type of valid visa.
Transport Bubbles or Air Travel Arrangements are temporary arrangements between two countries aimed at restarting commercial passenger services when regular international flights are suspended as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. They are reciprocal in nature, meaning airlines from both countries enjoy similar benefits.
Before making any reservations in the flights being operated under the above arrangements, the passengers must confirm that they would be allowed entry into the destination country.
The entire aviation industry must adapt to a new normal. The pandemic offers our industry a unique opportunity to recalibrate: to question the status quo and, instead of striving for 'growth at any price', to create value in a sustainable and responsible way.
As one of Europe's largest airlines, the group is seeing the first signs of recovery on some tourist routes during what is a summer holiday period in Europe and is keen to highlight the safety aspect of flying.
Start flying and say hello to the world again - there is no safer way to travel than on an aircraft.