About Air Transport Bubbles

Regular commercial International Flights are suspended from March 2020 due to COVID-19 pandemic. The schedule approved for winter season is not included any international schedule till March 2021. The  “Air Transport Bubbles” or “Air Travel Arrangements” are temporary arrangements between countries to restart International commercial passenger flights until normal schedule flights are not start. This arrangement / contract is reciprocal in nature that means airlines of both country enjoy similar benefits.  

According to Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, India is negotiating with 13 countries, including Australia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, Thailand and Singapore, to establish bilateral air bubble arrangements for international flight operations. Under this pact, airlines of both the countries can operate international commercial passenger  flights with certain restrictions.

All scheduled international passenger flights continue to remain suspended in India till 23 March 2021 due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Some Indian airlines are participate in this arrangements for example Air India, Indigo, Vistara etc. Detail of Air Transport Bubbles are  as follow: 

1. Afghanistan

India has established an air transport bubble with Afghanistan. According to this Indian carriers and Ariana Afghan Airlines are now permitted to operate commercial  passenger services between India and Afghanistan.
Before travel to India or Afghanistan you should check eligibility.

2. Bahrain

India has established an air transport bubble with Bahrain.  According to this Air India/Air India Express and Gulf Air are now permitted to operate commercial passenger services between India and Bahrain and carry the following categories of persons on such flights:

3. Bangladesh

India has established an air travel bubble with Bangladesh w.e.f 28th October 2020. This arrangement is valid till 31st January 2021. According to this all Indian and Bangladeshi carriers are now permitted to operate commercial passenger services between India and Bangladesh.

4. Bhutan

India has established an air travel bubble with Bhutan. According to this Indian and Bhutanese carriers are now permitted to operate commercial  passenger services between India and Bhutan.

5. Canada

India has established an air travel bubble with Canada. According to this Indian carriers and Air Canada are now permitted to operate commercial  passenger services between India and Canada.

6. France

India has established an air travel bubble with France. According to this Indian and French carriers are now permitted to operate commercial  passenger services between India and France .

7. Germany

India has established an air travel bubble with Germany. According to this Indian and German carriers are now permitted to operate commercial  passenger services between India and Germany .

8. Iraq

India has established an air travel bubble with Iraq. According to this Indian and Iraqi carriers are now permitted to operate commercial  passenger services between India and Iraq.

9. Japan

India has established an air travel bubble with Japan. According to this Indian and Japanese carriers are now permitted to operate commercial  passenger services between India and Japan.

10. Kenya

India has established an air travel bubble with Kenya. According to this Indian and Kenyan carriers are now permitted to operate commercial  passenger services between India and Kenya.

11. Maldives

India has established an air travel bubble with Maldives. According to this Indian and Maldivian carriers are now permitted to operate commercial  passenger services between India and Maldives.

12. Nigeria

India has established an air travel bubble with Nigeria. According to this Indian and Nigerian carriers are now permitted to operate commercial  passenger services between India and Nigeria.

13. Oman

India has established an air transport bubble with Oman. According to this Indian and Omani carriers are now permitted to operate commercial  passenger services between India and Oman.

14. Qatar

India has established an air transport bubble with the State of Qatar. According to this This bubble is valid till 31.10.2020. Indian carriers and Qatar Airways are now permitted to operate commercial  passenger services between India and Qatar.

15. Ukraine

India has established an air transport bubble with Ukraine. This bubble is valid till 30.11.2020 . According to this Indian and Ukrainian carriers are now permitted to operate commercial  passenger services between India and Ukraine.

16. United Arab Emirates (UAE)

India has established an air transport bubble with the United Arab Emirates (UAE). This bubble is valid till 31.10.2020. According to this Indian and UAE carriers are now permitted to operate commercial  passenger services between India and UAE.

17. United Kingdom (UK)

India has established an air transport bubble with the United Kingdom. According to this Indian and UK carriers are now permitted to operate commercial  passenger services between India and UK. 

18. United States of America (USA)

India has established an air transport bubble with the United States of America. According to this Indian and US carriers are now permitted to operate commercial  passenger services between India and USA.

Note - 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.

Source : MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION