The mega-airline says the cancellations are due to “the unexpected rejection of (its) planned October flight program by Indian authorities” and that “India has so far not accepted the German government’s invitation to discuss details of a deal. temporary travel between both countries. ”
A senior Indian official said that the pandemic time agreement of air bubbles, which allows nationals of both countries to travel in either direction, was finalized with Germany this July.
“However, there are restrictions for Indian nationals wishing to travel to Germany, which places Indian carriers at a significant disadvantage, resulting in an uneven distribution of traffic in Lufthansa’s favor. Unlike Indian airlines that operate 3-4 flights per week, Lufthansa operates 20 flights per week. Despite this disparity, we offered to authorize 7 flights a week for Lufthansa, which was not accepted by them. Negotiations continue, ”said the senior Indian official.
Unlike Indian airlines that operate 3-4 flights per week, Lufthansa operates 20 flights per week. Despite this dis… https://t.co/Vdc0fx752B
– DGCA (@DGCAIndia) 1601395070000
In a statement, Lufthansa said: “Lufthansa had originally scheduled flights for October in order to continue connecting Delhi, Mumbai and Bangalore with Europe and other regions of the Lufthansa global network. The October program would also have seen the addition of flights to and from Chennai. ”
Lufthansa says it had requested permission to continue special flights until the end of September. “This application process is necessary as India has so far not accepted the German government’s invitation to discuss details about a temporary travel agreement between the two countries. Lufthansa sincerely urges Indian authorities working together with the German government to establish (the same) … necessary to address the urgent need of tens of thousands of Indians and foreigners to travel to and from India and would also help to balance the interests of the airlines of both countries ” , Lufthansa said.
France and Germany are among the countries with which India has created air bubbles to travel with during the pandemic. Under these bubbles, airlines from India and the other country can transport people between countries only from one point to another. In the case of French Air and Lufthansa, Indian nationals can travel between India and the EU on these airlines. Recently, India had asked all airlines operating under air bubbles to abide by the rules of this special agreement, as some airlines, especially European ones, were found to offer to carry Indian nationals beyond the scope of the rules of the bubble.
Lufthansa added that “the October flight schedule would essentially have been an extension of the already limited number of flights between India and Germany that Lufthansa has been reintroducing to the Indian market since June…. As visa issuance is restarting and demand for flights to and from India is increasing, it is regrettable that Lufthansa is being unnecessarily restricted in its ability to serve its loyal Indian customers and allow them the desired journey. ”
“Lufthansa has been and always will be deeply committed to the Indian market and its customers. Once the Indian authorities agree to talks with the German government to establish a temporary travel agreement, Lufthansa will continue to serve the Indian people in these unprecedented times as it has for decades: offering safe travel to and from Germany and other countries around the world. . ”He added.
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