India signs air bubble pact with Australia

India has finalized an air bubble agreement with Australia, which will allow all eligible passengers to travel between the two countries.A bilateral air bubble is a mechanism, under which countries resume flights with preconditions during Covid-19 pandemic. India had suspended international flight operations from March 23, 2020 in the aftermath of Covid-19 pandemic.

How flights will run under this mechanism?

• Currently, India has suspended all the scheduled international flight operations till January 31, 2022. So, under the aur bubble agreement, dedicated cargo flights with select countries continue to operate.

With what countries India has such agreement?

• India has signed bilateral air bubble agreements with around 33 countries, including, Australia, Afghanistan, Bhutan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Canada, France, Ethiopia, Finland, Iraq, Germany, Kenya, Japan, Maldives, Kuwait, Nepal, Mauritius, Nigeria, Netherlands, Qatar, Oman, Rwanda, Russia, Seychelles, Singapore, Tanzania, Switzerland, Sri Lanka, USA, UK, UAE, Ukraine and Uzbekistan.