These 7 Nations Have Banned Indian Passengers; You Can Still Fly To These Nations Under Air Bubble

With the second wave of Covid-19 pandemic, India’s aviation industry which is already battered by the 2020 slowdown, has taken yet another hit.

As the average daily footfall of domestic passengers has fallen below 2 Lakh passengers for the first time since the flights were re-opened on May 25, as per the data shared by the Ministry of Civil Aviation.

Second Wave Affecting Air Travel

So far, domestic flights continue to operate in a calibrated manner.

But, the impending fear of international air travel closing once again is looming over flyers. 

During March last year, India announced to stop all scheduled international commercial flights and since then, regular operations have not started. 

Afterworld, India did undertake the world’s largest repatriation drive under Mission Vande Bharat.

At the same time, our government has also come up with bilateral pacts with various countries to ease international travelling.

But the arrangement seems jeopardized due to the spikes in the second wave.

Now several countries, such as the UK, Hong Kong, Canada and Singapore have announced a ban on flights from India. 

While the countries like the US, Germany has issued a travel advisory to all passengers flying in and out of India.

Countries Who have Banned Indian Passengers

Ever since the caseload of COVID-19 patients has increased due to the second wave, many countries have announced restrictions on flights from India. Here’s a list:

HONG KONG

Now Hong Kong has suspended all flights connecting it with India till May 3. 

UNITED KINGDOM

The UK has announced a ban on flights from India due to the rising cases and also the fact that 7 Indians have been found with the mutant COVID-19 strain. 

DUBAI

Passengers, both Indians and International who have visited India will not be allowed to enter the UAE unless they have spent 14 days in other countries.

At the same time, Emirates announced to halt all flights from India to Dubai. 

Although, the departure flights will continue to operate. This ban will not extend to UAE citizens, diplomatic passport holders and official delegations.

CANADA

As per the new rules, Canada has banned all flights from India and Pakistan for 30 days due to the growing wave of COVID-19 cases.

PAKISTAN

Our neighbouring country has also decided to ban for two weeks travellers coming from India. 

NEW ZEALAND

This was amongst the first countries to announce a temporary ban on travellers coming from India, including its citizens, for the period from 11 to 28 April. 

IRAN

Iran has banned all flights to and from India and Pakistan citing the dramatic surge in coronavirus cases in the two nations.

These Are The Countries Issues Travel Advisory To India

UNITED STATES

ISRAEL

SINGAPORE

GERMANY

Countries You Can Fly Under Air Bubble Pact

In 2020, India established travel bubbles with countries like the United States, Germany and France. 

There are a total of 27 nations under these agreements where you can fly under the Air Bubble pact, which are listed below.

Afghanistan

Bahrain

Bangladesh

Bhutan

Canada

Ethiopia

France

Germany

Iraq

Japan

Kenya

Kuwait

Maldives

Nepal

Netherlands

Nigeria

Oman

Qatar

Russia

Rwanda

Seychelles

Tanzania

Ukraine

UAE

United Kingdom

United States

Uzbekistan

Applicability Of Tourists VISA Under Aia Corridor

Currently, there are some countries that allow passengers from India with a Tourist Visa. The countries names are listed below.

Dubai

Maldives

Seychelles

Please note here that the majority of countries are still allowing only stranded Indian citizens, OCI card holders & diplomats. 

In case if a country has not allowed tourist visa holders then Indian nationals cannot fly to these countries.

Are You Planning To Travel Form India To the US?

Only people who come under the below criteria can plan to travel from India to the US in current circumstances.

1. Any Indian national holding any type of valid US visa. It would be for the airlines concerned to ensure that there is no travel restriction for Indian nationals to enter the USA with the particular visa category before the issue of ticket/ boarding pass to the Indian passenger.

2. US citizens, permanent residents, and foreign nationals holding valid US visas.

3. Seamen of foreign nationalities; Seamen holding Indian passports would be allowed subject to clearance from the Ministry of Shipping.