The aviation ministry said on Tuesday that India is considering setting up “individual bilateral bubbles” with the US, UK, Germany and France to conduct international passenger flights.
The ministry’s statement comes after the US Department of Transportation announced on Monday that it had halted the operation of chartered flights between India and the United States from July 22 without prior approval. To work between the two countries.
The Ministry of Aviation said, “As we consider further opening in response to the demands, we are seeing the possibility of setting up individual bilateral bubbles, India-US, India-France, India-Germany, India-UK.” These are all destinations where travel demand has not diminished. A final decision is expected to be taken soon. ”
He said, “We have received requests from officials of many countries including the US, France, Germany to allow their air passengers to participate in the transportation of passengers along the line being operated by Air India under the Vendor India Mission. Go These requests are being investigated.
Scheduled international passenger flights to India have been suspended since March 25 due to the coronavirus epidemic.
Air India started international chartered flights under the Vande Bharat Mission from 6 May to help those stranded in the midst of the epidemic reach their destination.
The US Department of Transportation (DOT) said on Monday that it appeared that Air India could use its passenger reversion chart to impose restrictions on all scheduled international services by the Indian government.
“We are taking this action (from July 22 only Air India flights that have DOT approval) because the Indian government has eroded the operating rights of US carriers and discriminatory and restrictive practices regarding US carrier services is engaged in.” From India, ”Dot said.
The aviation ministry said on Tuesday that it held a round of talks with representatives of the DOT and the US embassy on June 15 to help American carriers operate the flight.
“He was invited to submit an accurate proposal in this regard. A communication has been received detailing these requests on June 19, 2020, ”the ministry said.
Air India has been operating chartered flights on Indo-US routes since May 18 where tickets on both legs are sold.
While tickets on the Indo-US leg are sold to the public through the Air India website, seats on the US-India leg are to be purchased after contacting the Indian embassy in the US.
Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said on 20 June that the government would start considering resuming scheduled international passenger flights in mid-July, when it expects domestic air traffic before coronovirus to reach 50–55 percent will reach.
After a suspension of nearly two months to deal with an outbreak of coronaviruses, the government resumed scheduled domestic passenger flights from May 25 but in a rough manner and by imposing lower and upper limits on airfare depending on the duration of the flight.
In addition, Puri said on 20 June that during Phase 3 and Phase 4 of the Vande India Mission, private domestic airlines have been approved to operate 750 international flights to bring back people stranded amidst the coronovirus epidemic. Phase 3 of the Vande Bharat Mission started on 10 June.
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