The COVID-19 resultant lockdown initiated in March had caused the suspension of transportation along with air travel in the country. The Government is gradually lifting the restrictions on air travel.
To further ease the restrictions on transportation, the Center has announced Unlock 4.0.
To know more about new air travel restrictions, read on…
Air India Flights Under VBM and Air Bubbles!
With a view to bringing back stranded Indians to the country, the Center initiated a mega repatriation mission called ‘Vande Bharat Mission’ (VBM) on May 6, 2020.
International air travel is happening via these non-scheduled international repatriation flights under VBM or flights operating under bilateral air bubble agreements.
From September 1, 2020, VBM’s 6th phase has commenced.
Air India, the national carrier, has released a list as to which repatriation flights it will be operating in phase 6. Air India has been carrying out repatriation since phase 1 of VBM.
The Air India repatriation flights will be seen flying to countries like Canada and China.
Under the air bubble agreement, the national carrier will also operate repatriation flights till October 23 to destinations including London, Frankfurt, the US, and the Maldives.
Assessing the demand on Indian missions and posts, flights have been added for repatriation from Armenia, Bangladesh, Japan, Israel, New Zealand, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Ukraine.
The number of flights from the Gulf Cooperation Council countries and South East Asia have been increased as well.
Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said, “In addition to the bilateral ‘travel bubble’ arrangement with the US, Germany and France, which are operational, the arrangement with the UK is scheduled to start from September 1.”
Click here to access air bubble international flights operated by Air India till October 25.
Click here to access VBM international flights operated by Air India till October 25.
Click here to access the complete Air India timetable.
Demand for Domestic Air Travel Increasing!
On the other hand, domestic air travel is returning to normal.
Civil Aviation Minister, Hardeep Singh Puri tweeted, “Domestic Operations on 2nd September 2020, Day 102 till 2359 hrs. Departures 1122. 1,15,349 passengers handled. Arrivals 1120. 1,15,283 passengers handled. Total movements 2,242 Footfalls at airports 2,30,632. Total number of flyers 1,15,349.”