India’s Air bubble agreement with Saudi Arabia

The Indian government and Saudi Arabian Government have finalised an air bubble agreement, to allow all eligible travellers to travel between both the countries.

Highlights

The air bubble agreement will allow flights between the two countries, starting from January 1, 2022.

Who are the eligible fliers between India and Saudi Arabia?

Following passengers would be eligible to fly From India to Saudi Arabia:

1. Nationals or residents of Saudi Arabia.
2. Indian national or national of Nepal or Bhutan who are holding a valid visa of Saudi Arabia and have been destined for Saudi Arabia only. It will be for airlines that are concerned to ensure that there is no travel restriction for Indian or Bhutanese or Nepalese to enter Saudi Arabia.

What are Air travel bubbles agreements?

Air Travel Bubbles agreement are temporary arrangements between two countries. Such arrangements aim to restarting commercial passenger services, in case regular international flights are suspended.

With which countries India have bubbles agreement?

Amid the covid-19 pandemic, India has signed an air bubble agreement with 35 countries, including Afghanistan, Bahrain, Australia, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Ethiopia, Canada, Germany, Finland, France, Japan, Iraq, Kenya, Kazakhstan, Nepal, Kuwait, Maldives, Mauritius, Oman, Netherlands, Nigeria, Russia, Qatar, Seychelles, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Switzerland, Tanzania, United Kingdom, United States of America, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Uzbekistan.

Suspension of flights

India has suspended all the scheduled international passenger flight operations in India till January 31 because of rising Covid-19 cases and emergence of Omicron variant.

Month: Current Affairs - December, 2021