[ad_1]
Express News Service
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Shortly after India decided to ban flights to and from the UK after a more infectious and “out of control” variant of coronavirus was detected there, Saudi Arabia, Oman and Kuwait decided to suspend all flights, including to India .
The development is a major blow to non-resident Keralites, altering their plans to enter the state over Christmas and New Years. During the shutdown, when NORKARoots started registering for UK expats to return home under the Vande Bharat Mission, up to 3,813 people were registered.
But many more queued and 8,108 expats finally seized the opportunity to return from the UK. The emergence of the new variant of the coronavirus is destined to pour cold water on the hopes of airlines operating from the state. Oman decided to close its land, air and sea borders starting Tuesday, while Saudi Arabia and Kuwait suspended all international flights for two weeks starting Monday night.
A senior Air India Express official said The New Indian Express The new development worries airlines in many respects. “The new development comes at a time when airlines have been slowly getting back on their feet after a low. Airlines were able to operate up to 750 flights to six countries last month, which is about half of the utilization of Corporate aircraft compared to before COVID times. If the situation worsens, it would have a cascading effect on other countries with which India has entered into air bubble agreements, “the official said.
The travel ban will also affect the job prospects of thousands of Keralities. The travel restrictions came into effect in light of the new variant of the virus, which is said to be up to 70% more transmissible, but there is no evidence that it is more lethal. Experts have said there is also no evidence to suggest that it reacts differently to vaccines.
