#transportbubbles #airtransportbubbles #flightsduringcovidpandemic

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. The details of such arrangements are as follows:

1. USA, France and Germany

India has created transport bubbles with USA, France and Germany. In addition to Indian carriers, the carriers from these countries are now permitted to operate services between India and their respective countries.

A. Inbound flights

Both Indian and foreign airlines while operating inbound flights into India can carry the following passengers:
a) stranded Indian nationals, and
b)foreigners (including diplomats and OCI card holders), who are eligible to enter India as per Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) guidelines dated 30.06.2020.

B. Outbound flights

While operating outbound flights from India, both Indian and foreign airlines are permitted to carry the following passengers:

a) Indian and US Carriers
i. Indian nationals who are permitted to travel abroad as per MHA guidelines dated 01.07.2020 and holding valid US visas.
ii. US citizens, legal permanent residents, and foreign nationals holding valid US visas.

b) Indian and French/German carriers
i. Indian nationals who are permitted to travel abroad as per MHA guidelines dated 01.07.2020 and destined for EU.
ii. Seamen of foreign nationalities; Seamen of Indian origin would be allowed subject to clearance from the Ministry of Shipping.
iii. Stranded EU nationals/residents, foreign nationals destined for Europe and transiting through France or Germany (as applicable) or spouses of these persons, whether accompanying or otherwise.

2. United Kingdom and Canada

India has also created air travel arrangements with the United Kingdom and Canada. In addition to Indian carriers, the carriers from these countries are now permitted to operate services between India and their respective countries.

A. Inbound flights
Both Indian and foreign airlines while operating inbound flights into India can carry the following passengers:

a)stranded Indian nationals,and
b)foreigners(including diplomats and OCI card holders), who are eligible to enter India as per Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) guidelines dated 30.06.2020.

B. Outbound flights
While operating outbound flights from India,both Indian and foreign airlines are permitted to carry the following passengers:

a) Indian and UK Carriers
i. Indian nationals who are permitted to travel abroad as per MHA guidelines dated 01.07.2020 and are destined for UK;
ii. Stranded UK nationals/residents, foreign nationals transiting through UK or spouses of these persons, whether accompanying or otherwise; and
iii. Seamen of foreign nationalities; Seamen of Indian origin would be allowed subject to clearance from the Ministry of Shipping.

b) Indian carriers and Air Canada
i. Indian nationals who are permitted to travel abroad as per MHA guidelines dated 01.07.2020 and are destined for Canada;
ii. Stranded Canadian nationals/residents; and
iii. Seamen of foreign nationalities; Seamen of Indian origin would be allowed subject to clearance from the Ministry of Shipping.

3. United Arab Emirates (UAE)

India has also created a transport bubble with the United Arab Emirates (UAE). This bubble is valid till 31.08.2020. As per the arrangement, both Indian and UAE carriers will be permitted to operate flights between India and UAE and carry the following categories of persons on such flights:

A. From India to UAE:
i. UAE nationals.
ii. ICA approved UAE residents destined for UAE only.
iii. Any Indian national holding any type of valid UAE visa and destined for UAE only. It would be for the airlines concerned to ensure that there is no travel restriction for Indian nationals to enter UAE with the particular visa category before issue of ticket/ boarding pass to the Indian passenger.

B. From UAE to India:

i. Stranded Indian nationals
ii. All Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cardholders holding UAE passports, and
iii. UAE nationals (including diplomats) holding valid visa issued by an Indian Mission in any category covered under Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) guidelines dated 30.06.2020.

All the airlines are permitted to sell tickets between lndia and the respective countries in each direction through their websites, sales agents and Global Distribution Systems.

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.