Due to the Coronavirus pandemic, international passenger flights have been suspended in India since March 23.
Aviation has relaxed the air travel ban by allowing special repatriation and chartered flights.
From July, India has also developed bilateral air bubbles with the US, the UAE, Germany, and France through which international flights are allowed to operate with specific rules.
Negotiating an air bubble with other countries
Air bubble is a two-way set-up with regulations wherein air carriers can run international passenger flights. Currently, conversations are underway between India and 13 countries for resuming international passenger flights under air bubbles. These 13 countries are New Zealand, Bahrain, Philippines, South Korea, Kenya, Nigeria, Thailand, Italy, Japan, and Australia.
Allowing entry into India
As per the current travel regulations, individual foreign nationals are allowed to visit India, who are essential visa holders approved by the Ministry of Home Affairs. Also, Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cardholders from the US, UK, France, and Germany are eligible to travel to India.
Traveling from India
Indians are eligible for international travel to the UK, the US, Canada, and UAE under the Air Bubble agreement. As per the home ministry, Indian citizens can also travel to Germany and France with any visa.
Mandatory requirements for international travel
As per the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, passengers from abroad need to follow seven days of institutionalized quarantine procedure and then undergo seven days of home quarantine.
After August 8, if a passenger produces a Covid-19 negative test certificate done 96 hours before the journey, they can avoid India’s institutional quarantine procedure.
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