The Center on Wednesday extended the suspension of scheduled international passenger flights until October 31 and will operate these flights in air bubbles and under the Vande Bharat scheme. Although several activities have been resumed in the country in a phased manner, regular international flights are one of those that are still restricted. The restriction is also due to embargoes that other countries have to check the number of Covid-19 infections, in addition to the Covid-19 figures from India. However, several things do indeed change as of today.
16 international destinations
Indians can now fly to 16 destinations as new air bubbles have been signed. The list of countries includes Afghanistan, Bahrain, Bhutan, Canada, France, Germany, Iraq, Japan, Kenya, Maldives, Nigeria, Oman, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States. Travel agreements with Oman and Kenya were finalized in recent days. These agreements are the only window that currently allows international travel. Under these agreements, the airlines of both countries can carry passengers.
No flights to Germany until October 20
However, a fight with Germany earlier this week has put passengers in a quandary. Lufthansa has canceled all of its flights through October as India has rejected its October schedule, where Germany has more flights to India, but the number of Indian airlines entering Germany is restricted. Negotiations are ongoing in this regard.
Flights Vande Bharat Mission
Repatriation flights, on the other hand, are still underway. The Vande Bharat Mission was started in the first week of May to repatriate Indians trapped abroad due to the closure of Covid-19. More destinations are being added to Vande Bharat flights. Air India Express will begin direct flights from Mangalore to Dubai in October.
Baggage rules
As the Center has allowed airlines to revert to their pre-Covid baggage rules, travelers will be able to carry more baggage this month. “Air India is delighted to be able to once again offer its unmatched maximum baggage allowance! 35 kg for Business Class; 25 kg for the economy class! Leave your weight of worries with us and enjoy your flight, ”Air India tweeted.
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