As per the reports, the resumption of international flights may take place sooner than it was anticipated as there has been some pressure on Air India and the civil aviation department from the United States.
Why Would This Happen?
Basically, the United States has given an ultimatum of 30 days to Air India, further threatening to ban it from carrying out its Vande Bharat Mission with the mention that American airlines are not making any money out of this deal.
As we already know, Air India was the only airline allowed to fly internationally in the beginning.
Further, the services were provided to not only Indians but stranded Americans too as no US airline other than Air India was allowed to enter in India.
Here it is noteworthy that Vande Bharat Mission is not a free service where stranded people are being rescued at free of cost.
Instead, the passengers have to buy tickets and with this project, Air India made up to Rs 40 lakh from one Vande Bharat flight.
With the latest development, now other domestic carriers (IndiGo, SpiceJet) are now allowed to take part in Vande Bharat Mission.
Implementation Of Travel Bubble
On Tuesday, the Union Aviation Ministry informed that the government is planning an establishment of “individual bilateral bubbles” with the countries like the UK, the US, Germany and France for allowing airlines of the respective countries in the agreement to operate international passenger flights.
This announcement came after the US Department of Transportation’s announcement Monday that they have barred Air India from operating chartered flights between India and the United States from July 22 without its prior approval.
It seems like a retaliatory measure against Indian government’s decision of not allowing American carriers to operate between the two countries.
How Does It Affect?
Basically, creation of a travel bubble involves reconnecting countries or states that have shown a good level of success in containing the novel coronavirus pandemic domestically.
Further, such bubbles will help the members of the group in resumption of trade ties with each other, and also kickstart sectors like travel and tourism.
“As we contemplate further opening up in response to demands, we are looking at the prospect of establishing individual bilateral bubbles, India-US, India-France, India-Germany, India-UK. These are all destinations where demand for travel has not diminished. Final decisions pursuant to negotiations are expected to be taken soon,” said Aviation Ministry.
Further they said, “We have received requests from authorities in several countries including the US, France, Germany among others requesting that their air carriers be allowed to participate in the transportation of passengers along the line being conducted by Air India under Vande Bharat Mission. These requests are being examined,”.